Puzzling Stack Exchange
Puzzling Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [real]

For puzzles that presented themselves, with real parameters and consequences, during otherwise non-puzzling activities.

Puzzles can present themselves during all kinds of activities because they have consequential solutions. Such puzzles have concrete and testable parameters, yet reach beyond imagination alone and broaden our understanding of puzzling. This is for puzzles that actually occurred by happenstance, not ones that were designed or merely might occur.

152 questions
9
votes
1 answer

We're gonna need a bigger bowl!

It's time for lunch, and I want to eat my favorite Regresso™ Chicken Noodle Soup. Ideally, I would pour all the soup from the can to my bowl, microwave the bowl, then eat the soup. Unfortunately, there's more soup than will fit in the bowl: the bowl…
Riley
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5
votes
1 answer

A real-life puzzle. I'm mystified

I am not sure that this (or anywhere) is the right place to ask. I'm just puzzled about some things that happened today. Genuinely happened - this is not a set-up for an ordinary puzzle. This morning 5 Jan 2021, I awoke and got out of bed earlier…
chasly - supports Monica
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4
votes
2 answers

Martin's magic teapot

Martin really likes tea. In fact he likes it so much that he made his own magic teapot. The first time he pours from it he gets black tea, the second time he pours milk, and finally he pours tea with milk. Upon closer inspection the teapot has no…
Dmitry Kamenetsky
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3
votes
1 answer

Determine water temperature without touching the water

I've come up with a riddle that I use on a daily basis to solve a simple problem. In a kitchen, you have a water tap that can run cold and hot water (or a mixture). The more fancy ones have a handle that can rotate in 360 degrees where horizontal…
LPChip
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3
votes
3 answers

Lifting 5 bricks with one hand

There are 5 identical standard bricks lying on the table. Your hand is large enough to wrap around one brick only. How can you lift all 5 bricks at once with just one hand? You cannot use any other items or assist with your body. This challenge can…
Dmitry Kamenetsky
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0
votes
6 answers

How can you drive back without refueling?

My husband and I set out for a day trip towards a tourist town 20km away from our location. We only have enough fuel to reach the town, but my husband assured me that we will easily drive back to our location in our car without refueling. How is…
Dmitry Kamenetsky
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votes
2 answers

A toy needs 3 batteries, but I only have 2 batteries

I have a boy, he has a toy which need 3 batteries, but I only have 2 batteries. With an easy hack I can switch on the toy to work properly. What did I do?
Nurnani Tati
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-4
votes
2 answers

Length of mystery object

What everyday object is ${n}^{-1/4}$ metres long, where $n$ is an integer? Hint: n= 128 Note there may be some cultural dependence here.
Laska
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