Can You Rise to the Challenge of These Three Engaging Riddles?

A logic challenge with matches

Article originally published in July 2024

A puzzle shared on X (formerly Twitter) sparked many responses from Internet users. The challenge is to find the largest number possible by moving exactly two matches. The initial puzzle shows the number “508” designed with matchsticks, and asks what is the largest number one can get by moving just two matchsticks.

This challenge has captivated many curious minds, each trying to find the optimal solution.

While some can figure out how to move the matches to get 908 or 999, it's actually possible to get 5118 and even 51181! Do you see how to perform the necessary movements?

The biggest number pic.twitter.com/HjdHEaoi7p

— Science girl (@gunsnrosesgirl3) October 4, 2023

Other riddles to test your ingenuity

Besides this matchstick puzzle, here are two other quick puzzles to challenge your brain. The first: “I never breathe, but I have a lot of breath. Who am I? » The second: “I have wings, but I don’t fly, who am I? “.

These puzzles, although seemingly simple, require creative thinking and a good dose of logic. They're perfect for a quick, stimulating break, and can even be shared with friends to see who can solve them the fastest. The answers are: a hair dryer for the first riddle and a windmill or a wind turbine for the second.

The benefits of puzzles on the brain

Solving puzzles is not only fun, it's also good for the brain. Puzzles challenge a variety of cognitive skills, from logical thinking to visual memory. They stimulate the left and right hemispheres of the brain, improving functions such as concentration and discipline.

The puzzles also provide unique satisfaction. The process of research and discovery provides a feeling of accomplishment once the solution is found.

This mental hunt stimulates areas of the brain linked to discovery and satisfaction, making the experience enriching both intellectually and emotionally. So, take a moment to stimulate your mind and enjoy the thrill of hunting for solutions.