Maths question 'brain test' so hard only '1% of people can solve it'

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It's trickier than it looks to work out the sequence (Image: Fact Republic)

Brain teasers come in all shapes and sizes, and this maths-based puzzle is proving to be so hard only 1% of people can solve it.

Although they force your brain to think outside the box, challenging yourself to a brain teaser is never a bad idea. Even if you struggle to solve it, you will unknowingly be improving your mind's ability to focus on a task, as well as your memory and overall cognitive ability.

But this latest maths-based brain teaser is proving to be trickier than most, as it not only relies on you being able to concentrate, but you might have to draw on some skills you learned at school. JagranJosh shared the 'brain test' online, claiming only 1% of people could solve it.

Maths question 'brain test' so hard only '1% of people can solve it' qhiquqiqutiqztinvDo you know what the missing number is? (Fact Republic)

The image features four rows of corn on the cobs, popcorn and clocks, along with some solutions to their values. Your job is to find out the individual values of the items, using basic arithmetics - but it also requires observational skills and creativity.

In the first row, you'll see three corn on the cobs, which are worth 75. The next row consists of one corn on the cob and two buckets of popcorn, equating to 65. A clock, a popcorn bucket and a corn on the cob are worth 47.

Parents stumped by maths question for 10-year-olds - see if you can solve itParents stumped by maths question for 10-year-olds - see if you can solve it

You need to find the value of the fourth row, where you'll see the same three symbols. Your job is to calculate their value - so take your time and look at all the information you are presented with.

If you are able to work it out, give yourself a pat on the back - it's not as easy as you might think. Clearly, as you're apparently part of the 1% club. Don't worry if you didn't manage it - welcome to the majority. We're still going to reveal the answer, so keep reading to learn more.

If you look clearly, you'll see that the bottom row features three corn on the cobs, two popcorn buckets and one clock, set at a different time to the one on the third row. You'll also see that all the other rows are separated by plus symbols, while the last row has a plus symbol and a multiplication sign.

The number you are looking for is actually 275. Luckily, JagranJosh has explained how you should be coming to that conclusion. First, imagine the corn on the cob is X. So X+X+X+=75. In other words, 3X=75, which means X= 75/3, giving you X= 25. So, the value of a corn on the cob is 25.

Then you need to find out the value of the popcorn, which we will call Y. The image shows: Y+Y+X= 65, so 2Y+X= 65, or 2Y=65-X, which means 2Y= 65-25, so 2Y= 40. Then you do Y= 40/2 and finally find out that Y= 20. Therefore, the value of popcorn is 20.

Now, let's imagine the value of the clock is Z, which means: X+ Y+Z=47. Now, that means that 25+20+Z= 47, or Z= 47-45 which means Z= 2. The value of the clock is therefore 2.

Now we know all that, we can calculate that last equation, which simply means 3X+2YxZ= 75+40x5 (the clock shows 5pm). So 75+200= 275. Did you get all that?

Let us know in the comment section below if you're in the 1% club.

Ariane Sohrabi-Shiraz

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