Try to solve this math brain-teaser in the shortest time possible: only the most astute will succeed

by Mark Bennett

August 06, 2023

Try to solve this math brain-teaser in the shortest time possible: only the most astute will succeed
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How did you do in math at school? We are well aware that it is not exactly one of the most popular of subjects and not everyone is good at math, especially the more complicated forms. That said, math is very useful in everyday life. Making sense of your budget (income vs expenditures) requires basic math skills.

Given this, it is useful to keep our math skills honed.

Below, is a somewhat complicated math brain-teaser that we are sure you can solve (with a bit of perseverance). Here's what to do:

Pixabay

Pixabay

This image shows us four lines that contain a number of math formulae. Tackling brain-teasers like this is one way for us to keep our minds sharp. So, break out of your routine and give this challenge a try.

Don't be put off by how complex this puzzle may look - you may surprise yourself!

The pieces of fruit are, of course, substitutes for actual numbers. Their sums give the totals shown, but one total is missing - the last one. This is what you have to solve. Determine the value of "?".

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Pixabay

Pixabay

To answer this question requires attention, focus and mental math skills. Of course, if you prefer want to use a pen and paper, you can. If you have already managed to get the answer, congratulations! You have excellent math skills! If you're stuck, we will lend you a hand:

So, let's start from the top formula. It is the simplest one to solve. We have two strawberries and the result of their sum is 12, so their value must necessarily be the same. Thus, a strawberry has the value 6 - can you see this? 

Pixabay

Pixabay

On to the second forumula. We find a strawberry which, added to the banana, equals 9. So what is the value of the banana if a strawberry is 6? The answer is, of course, 3. Now, only the value of the pineapple is missing. 

Having ascertained that the value of the banana is 3 and that added to the pineapple it gives 11, a pineapple must be valued 8. Do you agree? At this point we just need to add a pineapple and a strawberry - whose values we already know - and we get the final total, 14 (6+8).

This was not an easy challenge, but the important thing is to concentrate. Once the first value has been found, the rest follow. And if you liked this math puzzle, look forward to those still to come!

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