Brain Teasers
1. There is a man that lives on the top floor of a very tall
building. Everyday he takes the elevator down to the ground floor to leave the building to
go to work. Upon returning from work though, he can only travel half way up in
the lift and has to walk the rest of the way unless it's raining! WHY?
This is probably the best known and most celebrated of all
lateral thinking puzzles. It is a true classic. Although there are many
possible solutions which fit the initial conditions, only the canonical
answer is truly satisfying.
2. A man and his son are in a car accident. The father dies on the scene,but the
child is rushed to the hospital. When he arrives the surgeon says "I can't
operate on this boy, he is my son!" How can this be?
3. A man is wearing black. Black shoes, socks, trousers, a jumper, gloves and balck
over coat. He is walking down a black street with all the street lamps off. A black
car is coming towards him with its light off but somehow manages to stop in time.
How did the driver see the man?
4. The Elder Twin
One day Kerry celebrated her birthday.Two days later her older twin brother, Terry,
celebrated his birthday. Why?
5. Manhole Covers
Why is it better to have round manhole covers than square ones?
This is logical rather than lateral, but it is a good puzzle which can be solved by
lateral thinking techniques. It is supposedly used by a very well-known software company
as an interview question for prospective employees.