Questions tagged [lateral-thinking]
A puzzle solved through an indirect and creative approach, using reasoning that is not immediately obvious and involving ideas that may not be obtainable only using logic.
964
questions
10
votes
1answer
355 views
Tell me a story!
I've seen a lot of prefix-infix-suffix/Riley riddles lately on the site and have decided to write one myself; however, those of ...
15
votes
20answers
3k views
Trapped In A Glass Cube [closed]
You wake up and find yourself trapped in a glass square shaped covering. Luckily, you see soil below, unlike all the other directions. You start digging but find that there is glass at the bottom too. ...
11
votes
8answers
2k views
No love for 2 and 3
Form two numbers. The sum of them must be $100$.
For the first one you must use the digits $4$, $5$ and $6$ taken exactly once in this order. You cannot use other digits.
For the second one you must ...
4
votes
2answers
98 views
A Wonder Untold is Bright and Bold
I have been sick lately and haven't written a riddle in probably a week or longer. I came up with a riddle this morning while adding more detail to the acrostic tag wiki (though the edit still needs ...
10
votes
3answers
1k views
The puzzled wife
A lengthy question
Once, a woman was getting ready to have a look at three suitors who had come to extend their wishes of marriage "A," "B" and "C."
When she was getting ready, a poisonous snake bit ...
35
votes
13answers
7k views
6 prisoners, 2 colors, one mute
Just like the classic 4 prisoners hats riddle, here we have 6 prisoners buried to their necks in the ground. They can only look straight ahead so that A only sees B, C, D, E while B sees C, D, E, and ...
4
votes
1answer
235 views
4824 Draw an award 4284
After you finished the last one with a ceasar cipher: [ Definitely not suspicious ]
I realize that you guys cannot be distracted.
So, I will tell you the answer, right here.
$Phew!$
While everyone'...
-1
votes
6answers
538 views
$6$ is prime? Another Grandpa Mystery (not made by @DEEM, this time)
Inspired by @DEEM's Grandpa Mystery puzzles (e.g. here and here). Be sure to check them out!
Now we all know that Grandpa is a genius... but sometimes he says the most absurd things!
Today he told ...
1
vote
1answer
88 views
Puzzle #5: As Hard as ABC
A piece of paper was found in a kindergarten classroom trash can. On the paper there is a list of letters. It is pretty obvious what the task was when you notice what the paper says.
A B C D _
It's ...
1
vote
2answers
286 views
When at first you don't succede try and Try again
Sherlock had just arrived to work one day when he happened to overhear a conversation between some coworkers on the way in. The conversation went like this:
Bob: Did you hear they just came back ...
24
votes
13answers
4k views
How Ssimple is Thisss?
Read following passage...
Beginning sstory:
There wass a ssound.
Maybe a ssnake?
...
0
votes
3answers
238 views
A quick rebus puzzle
This riddle depends on the colour of the pictures. So it is not friendly for colourblind people. All inconveniences are regretted
A simple one this time. No hidden meaning or clues. Let's see how ...
0
votes
3answers
512 views
Simple Math Problem #3
Previous Puzzles(Not linked to this one): Simple Math Problem #1 and Simple Math Problem #2
Prove the equation:
$-6439832+ = 9$
$-$ and $+$ are there just to tell that you can use only these two ...
3
votes
2answers
183 views
The answer should be in the form of a question, like jeopardy but with a bit more ~fantasy~
The answer to the first is not bad or inferior.
The answer to the second is not noise or agitation.
The answer to the third is not evil or corruption.
The answer to the fourth is not ...
-2
votes
1answer
2k views
A fatso racist and a skinny racist jump off a cliff. Who wins? [closed]
A fatso racist and a skinny racist jump off a cliff. Who wins?
Rhymes from a place where dreamers can express their dreams with verse,
...I was afraid to start writing....
...hearing them is ...
9
votes
9answers
1k views
Who is Pete's favourite composer?
Pete had a conversation with his shy friend Dave from his old concert band "Plain Inspiration"
Pete: Do you like classics?
Dave: Absolutely!
...
Pete: Is there any chance you would ...
1
vote
2answers
109 views
Hey, it's a puzzle [closed]
You Just Joined Puzzling SE. You are about to ask your first question on puzzling SE, but you face an emergency. You have the Reputation Bonus, Therefore you have 101 Reputation. You forget About ...
7
votes
1answer
204 views
The “Three Diamond” Distilling Company
Now, I grew up in South Carolina. Most people don't associate my home state with bootleggin', but, back in the day, this is where it all began. Ya see, the fastest cars could outrun those cop cars. So ...
-1
votes
3answers
153 views
Can You Prove it? [closed]
Can You prove it that 7 + 7 = 12
partially mathematical
EDIT (Due to answer): By 7 and 12 I mean the Numbers.
3
votes
3answers
300 views
What is the next?
1 3 5
2 4 ?
some numbers are given, it seems so obvious?
FYI: the answer is not 6.
what is the next?
the answer is not a number.
13
votes
18answers
4k views
3 = 6 ? Another non math question. Another Grandpa Mystery
Now I know Grandpa asks silly questions all the time.
He says to me:
"Son, this is based on my personal experience.
I was with a friend today. He made a gesture. By making this gesture he ...
4
votes
1answer
155 views
Where is my coworker from? [duplicate]
My new coworker sent me some code. He wants me to figure out where he was born. I believe there are some hints within the code, but I cannot figure it out. Here is the code block:
...
8
votes
3answers
1k views
Grandpa and numbers: Another Grandpa Mystery
Grandpa loves to make silly little statements. And he thinks they are riddles.
The other day he turned to me and said:
"This is not math but
Take a number
Add a number to it
And ...
12
votes
3answers
603 views
Enter the Vermillion
I have a new riddle for everyone here at Puzzling.SE, and I believe it's a safe bet to say it will be difficult to solve.
My suffix is my prefix, defined for both as well;
My infix has one ...
11
votes
2answers
485 views
Tricky Riddle, Wordplay heavy, What is my name?
Today, I have what I consider a tricky riddle for you to answer. Please note, I have added the correct tags to this riddle.
I have some math problems that I need help solving. Do you think you'd be ...
5
votes
1answer
128 views
To create or not to create
$\hskip2.5in$Crossword format.
$\hskip2.5in$Zorn's lemma;
$\hskip2.5in$Spain.
$\hskip2.5in$Programming language.
$\hskip2.5in$The fourth;
$\hskip2.5in$A conditional.
$\hskip2.5in$Jack and the ...
8
votes
6answers
696 views
Pizzle - Will you ever show up, Rick?
NB: Pizzle = Puzzle + Riddle
Chapter 1: Let's start (solved in comments)
You can see me, but you can not catch me
I'm lightweight, but I could lift you up easily
Chapter 2: The First Piece (...
0
votes
2answers
182 views
The Trail of Clues: The Mystery island
<--- Previous and first clue
You are standing on a roof in Israel at the top of the Ladder. You notice that there is a small package taped to the top rung of the ladder.
You pick it up and take it ...
4
votes
2answers
257 views
Falcon Circus, Chapter 3: The Jungle
The Wise
You get up and dust yourself off. Pushing extra leaves and vines out of the way, the sign reads, "THIS WAY! THAT WAY! NO WAY? YES WAY!" You let out a big sigh. Oh boy. There was one door in ...
2
votes
2answers
197 views
The mysterious box: The First Clue
It was a normal day when I got the box came in the post. I opened it and found a handful of objects inside. I picked out a piece of paper and on it was a riddle:
The next clue lies within the top ...
8
votes
4answers
258 views
Dubious Literature
My first puzzle. Please tell me if it's too vague.
Hamlet: (holding a sword) To be or not to be.
Horatio: Dear Hamlet, live! Only our present states diverge--our futures remain forever bound ...
15
votes
3answers
2k views
Strange Refrigerator Problem
I found this old mini fridge at the dump. It still had old sticky-notes attached to most of the oddly-shaped drawers.
Any idea what was kept in the bottom drawer?
3
votes
1answer
92 views
Just Another Who am I Riddle
I am a ruler high and mighty
I am not a fan of perfumery
Though I love my jewelry
So who am I?
This is my first riddle and I appreciate any feedback.
7
votes
1answer
168 views
Lyckety-Splyt gets some Deli
This here's my song, G,
'Bout when I was hongry:
I went to the deli
In harlem. They sell me
A sandwich so smelly,
Thought I was in Delhi.
They put grits of hominy
On top of pastronimy.
Nine bucks? ...
11
votes
5answers
346 views
Falcon Circus, Chapter 0: The Decision
The Prologue
Lycan pouted. I guess he was expecting his little riddle to be hard. Lichen didn't have a change in expression, although this doesn't surprise you. The red twin glared at you for another ...
7
votes
1answer
116 views
The other night I did these things
The other night I did these things:
I alternately climbed the rungs of success and slid down to failure.
I got a car, went to college, got married and had up to four strangely-...
11
votes
5answers
1k views
The All Seeing Eye
I would like to introduce myself to the Puzzling world on Stack Exchange (came from Stack Overflow). I've enjoyed several puzzles here and I would like to begin to participate as I believe brain ...
6
votes
2answers
292 views
The mini riddle in graffiti
You find some graffiti. It reads:
"The pouch lives in the 3x4 inverted moniker."
It appears to be signed by "OyouOrtut␣␣␣"
And there is also "ariibeaobvtn abbrev."
What does this mean?
7
votes
3answers
388 views
Salesman? Possibly
It was on the Istere that I encountered him. Our conversation covered a wide range of topics - everything from ancient history to the nature of time.
Admittedly, I was somewhat distant, not entirely ...
5
votes
1answer
191 views
Do you need some water or a drink? Use me, and I won't get it from the sink
So I'm at best neutral, neither truly first nor last,
To me, ties are fruitful, our destinies set and cast.
A simple sketch, now that sounds fun,
Now I will etch, maybe a gun.
Dawn ...
8
votes
1answer
328 views
Could there be some logic in this mystical gibberish?
My great uncle Sean passed away in '94 after a long battle with illness. Not many people came to his funeral; he was 105 when he died, and had outlived all of his friends and colleagues.
I'm told he ...
2
votes
1answer
223 views
I'm bored. Do you like eating bananas? They make a good breakfast
So for today, our riddle is broken into two. Can you figure out all of these clues?
Am I the Alpha, the origin, the prime?
I'm maybe victory, or part of a dime.
Take one to the face, you ...
15
votes
1answer
1k views
Let me Introduce you to the Band
If you need anything, just let me know—I'll point you in the right direction. Let me start out by counting off our members.
The tall one there is named Martin. He's kinda offensive and always pissing ...
0
votes
1answer
103 views
Another sequence of numbers [duplicate]
Here at Puzzling there are many sequences of numbers already. I come up with another one, that I haven't found so far.
...
26
votes
13answers
10k views
My roommate's short riddle
My roommate (rm) this morning suddenly give me this riddle,
rm: Hi, good morning! I have a nice riddle for you
me: Seriously? Isn't this too early?
rm: 'mon, just guess who I am
You ...
1
vote
2answers
294 views
Solution or Origin of logic puzzle
This is not my puzzle and I do not know the solution. This was shared to me by a friend. Their former boss told them this riddle. I was told this question originated from Steven's Institute of ...
4
votes
2answers
244 views
Exchange one letter and I can be silenced
Tired of short riddles yet?
I claim me, myself, and I.
I can be found in stone, and I can find stone.
I can burst, causing irreparable damage.
I am an abundance.
I am?
5
votes
1answer
158 views
I can signal the demise of the world, or I may be the key to unlocking it
I may have four legs, or I may have none-
I may have two ears, but perhaps I cannot hear.
I may have two eyes, but could it be that I cannot see?
Either way, I can be found in your home;
Either ...
10
votes
6answers
1k views
Twisted Vivaldi
There are 5 riddles. Each riddle will lead to a one word clue for the final answer. Your job is to guess the final answer. The problem is, each riddle has a twist:
1 of them is a red herring.
1 of ...
22
votes
3answers
2k views
Riddled with (w)holes
With holes, I hold.
With holes, I am whole.
Try to make more, and there are less.
Try to make more, and I am less.
What am I?
