August Mindbenders

Birth Control

In an attempt to combat population explosion and consequential overcrowding, the government of a distant country issues a decree.  All mothers are to stop having children once they have given birth to one daughter.

Naturally, some families will have a girl as a first (and hence only) child.  Others will have a few sons who eventually have a sister, at which point family growth stops.  On the other hand, some families with only boys will decide that they have enough offspring already, and give up trying for a daughter.

Will boys tend to outnumber girls in this generation?  Or vice versa?

Answer

Take Your Pick

You are on a game show and have reached the final round.  You are given three envelopes.  Only one of the envelopes contains the star prize, which is a set of tickets for a round-the-world touring holiday.  The others contain booby prizes, used local bus tickets.

You must choose one envelope to open.  After you make your choice, but don’t open it yet, the show host opens one of the two envelopes you didn’t choose, revealing a used bus ticket.  You then have the choice of sticking with the envelope you first choice, or changing your mind.

Assuming that you would like to go and see the sights of the world, should you switch to the other unopened envelope?  Or stick with your original choice?  Or doesn’t it matter either way?

Answer

Matchstick Puzzles

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Move five matches to make five squares.

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Starting with the same pattern, add four matches to make five squares.

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