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Brain teaser: You're a genius in disguise, if you decode this baffling maths challenge

A brain teaser shared on X confused thousands, sparking over 8k views and 500 comments.

Updated on: Feb 1, 2025, 14:26:22 IST
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Mathematics and brain teasers make a fascinating combination, often challenging our minds and offering a great way to engage with problem-solving skills. While many of us may have found maths lessons at school to be a mix of dread and confusion, brain teasers have always had the power to spark curiosity and interest. If you're a fan of such puzzles, there's a new brain teaser making the rounds online that is sure to intrigue you.

A brain teaser shared on X puzzled users. (X/@brainyquiz_)
A brain teaser shared on X puzzled users. (X/@brainyquiz_)

(Also read: Only a keen thinker can crack this mind-boggling brain teaser that 99% fail to solve)

The puzzle: can you solve it?

Shared on the social media platform X by the account 'Brainy Quiz', the puzzle reads:

“Puzzle Game, 9 = 72, 8 = 56, 7 = 42, 6 = 30, 5 = 20, 3 = ??”

Check out the puzzle here:

This puzzle has already amassed over 8,000 views and generated more than 500 comments, quickly capturing the attention of puzzle enthusiasts. The puzzle appears deceptively simple, yet it has had people scratching their heads as they attempt to unravel the pattern behind these numbers.

Public reactions: A range of answers and theories

As the puzzle circulates, users have offered various solutions, some with confidence and others with a mix of confusion and curiosity. One user suggested, “The pattern is based on multiplication—each number seems to be multiplied by its preceding number.” Another user wrote, “It’s a tricky one, but I think the answer is 12!” While some are throwing out answers based on pure guesswork, others are breaking down the sequence and exploring mathematical patterns in detail.

(Also read: Brain teaser: If you crack this numerical puzzle, you'll be called a math wizard)

Several comments dive into more complex theories: “Maybe the solution has something to do with factorials or a hidden mathematical property,” pondered one user, while another chimed in, “I’m convinced this one’s a trick. The sequence doesn’t seem to add up logically!”

On the lighter side, some users enjoyed the challenge but couldn't quite crack the code. One playful comment read, “I’ve spent 10 minutes on this and feel like my brain might explode!” Others offered encouragement, “It’s all about thinking outside the box. Don’t give up!”

  • Mahipal Singh Chouhan
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Mahipal Singh Chouhan

    Mahipal Singh Chouhan is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times Digital, with nearly five years of experience in digital journalism and content production. He primarily covers offbeat, trending and human-interest stories, with a focus on emerging social media trends, online conversations and real-world incidents that capture public attention. At Hindustan Times, Mahipal works on identifying and developing fast-moving digital stories, adding context and journalistic perspective to viral moments while maintaining accuracy, clarity and readability for online audiences. Before joining Hindustan Times Digital, he was associated with DNA India, where he gained experience in newsroom workflows and digital storytelling. He holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, Delhi. Beyond journalism, he has a keen interest in history and sports and enjoys expanding his general knowledge.Read More

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