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‘Harvard University’ brain teaser that ‘95% couldn’t solve’ goes viral. Are you smart enough to crack it?

A user on X shared a mind-boggling brain teaser they attributed to a Harvard University interview. Can you figure it out? Reportedly, 95% couldn't.

Updated on: Sep 10, 2024, 07:24:40 IST
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Brain teasers offer a fun and engaging challenge to social media users, rewarding solvers with a quick sense of accomplishment. Do you love a good puzzle? This one, said to be from a Harvard University interview, has baffled people. Are you a genius who can solve it?

How many people do you think this ‘Harvard University’ brain teaser talks about? (Screengrab)
How many people do you think this ‘Harvard University’ brain teaser talks about? (Screengrab)

“Can you solve it? 95% couldn’t,” asked an X user and shared the brain teaser. “7 men have 7 wives. Each man and each wife have 7 children. Q: What's the total number of people,” reads the brain teaser.

Also Read: Only the sharpest eyes can spot the heart in this elephant puzzle – are you up for the challenge?

Do you have what it takes to solve the puzzle?

“It looks tricky. 7 men + 7 wives = 14. No. of children for each man & each wife = 7. No. of children for each man with the seven wives = 49 (7×7). Overall no. of children = 343 (49×7). Total no. is 14+343 = 357,” suggested an X user. Another commented, “So my guess: 7 men and 7 wives means 7 couples. So each couple had 7 children so 7 * 7 = 49, and the total number of people are: 49 children + 7 men + 7 women = 63.”

Also Read: Brain teaser challenge: A man works 40+ hours but never sleeps, can you tell how?

A third questioned, “What's the correct answer and why?” A fourth wrote, “The two answers are correct, depending on how you interpret the question. If you interpret it as each man having 1 wife, the correct answer is 63 people. However, if you interpret it as each man having 7 wives, the correct answer is 399 people.”

What do you think is the correct answer to this brain teaser?

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Trisha Sengupta

Trisha Sengupta is a Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over six years of digital newsroom experience. Specialising in high-engagement storytelling, she blends viral trends with traditional journalism to cover the intersection of technology, finance, and human emotion. Her reporting spans real estate and personal finance struggles in hubs like Bengaluru and Gurgaon, the NRI experience, and corporate shifts like tech layoffs. Trisha also frequently tracks global figures and writes human interest stories. Offline, Trisha is an avid reader, history enthusiast and solo traveler. She balances her journalism career with family life while actively integrating AI tools into her modern storytelling approach.

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