Mind-boggling University Challenge question stumps thousands of viewers

21 September 2023 , 06:00

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It's been deemed one of the hardest questions asked by Jeremy Paxman (Image: BBC / ITV Studios / Rachel Joseph)

If you're looking to test your brain power with one tricky question then look no further. The British game show University Challenge is known for bringing together the brightest brains in the country to compete against one another to work out once and for all which university is the most intelligent. Students are asked a variety of seriously tough questions, leaving the majority of people watching at home completely stumped.

The programme really tests people's memory and knowledge with questions that require a deep and diverse education to be able to answer. Jeremy Paxman was the host of the iconic programme from 1994 to May 2023 and is currently the longest-serving quizmaster on UK TV. Here we have shared one of the most difficult questions he asked while on the show.

Jeremy ended his quizzing reign after nearly three decades. The broadcaster and presenter decided to step down after his Parkinson's diagnosis, and he said: "I've had a blast hosting this wonderful series for nearly 29 years". During his time on the show, the 73-year-old never went easy on his guests, which really put their intelligence to the test. So, can you answer one of his most mind-boggling questions?

Q: The atomic number of sulfur is 16, what is the sum of the atomic numbers of the four elements whose symbols spell the word snob?

This has been deemed as one of the most difficult questions from the show - and we can see why. If you need a minute to think about it, we don't blame you - it's seriously tough. But the answer is coming right up, so if you're still thinking about it, don't scroll too much further.

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Jeremy asked this during the final between Wolfson College, Cambridge and Balliol College, Oxford, on series 46 of University Challenge, testing the contestants capacity for mental maths. Goldman, from Balliol, Oxford answered 37, before team member Yang from Wolfson, Cambridge asked whether it was 31.

However, the answer is: 36, as the individual atomic numbers are 16, seven, eight and five.

Did you get the answer right? Let us know in the comments below.

Billie Schwab Dunn