'Genius' maths question is leaving adults stumped – can you solve it? – Express
Brainteasers come in a variety of forms, and this particular puzzle is so challenging that it’s said only those with a high IQ can crack it. Despite its difficulty, tackling this problem could improve your mind’s ability to concentrate, as well as enhancing your memory and overall cognitive function.
One question from the test is proving particularly tough for both maths strugglers and self-proclaimed experts alike. The seemingly straightforward question asks participants to solve an equation – but it’s not as simple as it appears.
The problem has left many people baffled, with most unable to choose between two potential answers. So, can you figure it out?
The maths question, shared on social media, reads: “Mike and Stacy have a combined age of 50. Mike is 40 years older than Stacy. How old is Stacy?” This challenge first appeared on Instagram‘s Threads and has since garnered hundreds of comments from people attempting to solve it.
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Now, at first glance, one might immediately assume that Stacy is 10 and Mike is 40, totalling 50. However, this doesn’t add up. If Stacy were 10 and Mike were 40 years her senior, that would make him 50, bringing their combined age to 60.
While some people quickly arrived at the number 10, others flexed their mental muscles to dissect the sequence and pinpoint the accurate solution. One savvy user broke it down: “x+y=50, x-y=40, x=(50+40)/2=45, y=(50-40)/2=5.”
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Another clarified the process, stating: “We know that the total number is 50 and we also know that there is an age gap of 40. Add those values together is 90, divide by two and you get 45. Mike is 45 and therefore Stacy is five.”
The individual who shared the riddle was thoroughly impressed with how effortlessly some cracked it, responding to the solver with a congratulatory, “Awesome! You’re right!” The definitive answer is that Stacy is a mere five years old.
Did you manage to figure it out? Drop your thoughts in the comments section below.
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