Curious about your IQ but can’t stand the thought of a lengthy, tedious test? What if you could assess your intelligence with just three questions, and it only takes a few minutes? This might sound too good to be true, but it’s not. Introducing the world’s shortest IQ test – it’s quick, challenging, and surprisingly tricky for most people.
Originally crafted in 2005 by Professor Shane Frederick, the test, known as the Cognitive Reflection Test, includes only three math questions. However, don’t let its brevity fool you. It’s as challenging as the more extended versions, and 83% of people don’t get all the answers right – even some from Harvard and Yale struggled with it!
Are you among the 17% who can nail it? These questions might seem straightforward at first glance, but they’re designed to trip you up. Let’s see if you can avoid the common pitfalls that most fall into.
Here are the questions:
- A bat and a ball cost $1.10 in total. The bat costs $1.00 more than the ball. How much does the ball cost? _____ cents
- If it takes 5 machines 5 minutes to make 5 widgets, how long would it take 100 machines to make 100 widgets? _____ minutes
- In a lake, there is a patch of lily pads. Every day, the patch doubles in size. If it takes 48 days for the patch to cover the entire lake, how long would it take for the patch to cover half of the lake? _____ days
Give it a try and see if you can figure them out. But don’t rush – the most common answers people give are actually incorrect. For example, many think the ball costs 10 cents, but is that really the case?
The real challenge lies in suppressing the intuitive, yet incorrect, answer that immediately jumps to mind. It’s a test that measures not just your mathematical skills, but also your ability to think critically and challenge your initial thoughts.
ANSWERS BELOW
Ready to find out the answers? Check them out below, along with explanations:
- The ball costs 5 cents.
- It takes 5 minutes for 100 machines to make 100 widgets.
- The lily pad patch would cover half the lake on day 47.
Surprised by the answers? They make perfect sense once you delve into the logic behind them. This test isn’t just a measure of your IQ; it’s a glimpse into how you approach problems and whether you can step back and reassess your first instincts.
How did you do? Did you beat the odds and get them all right, or were you among the majority who stumbled on these seemingly simple questions? Share your results and challenge your friends to see if they can do better!
For an in-depth explanation of each answer, dive into the full test and paper available online, and see how a strategic approach to problem-solving can lead you to the correct answers.
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