Puzzle Time. Can You Solve These Challenging Math Puzzles?

Math riddles with answers help children develop interest and aptitude in mathematics. Parents can help their children solve these riddles provided in the article.

Math riddles can be tricky problems with challenging solutions. These application-based questions help your child think outside the box. They will help your kids improve their reasoning and academic performance.

Ask your child to solve the math riddles and puzzles provided in this article to keep them engaged with academically beneficial activities.

10 Challenging Maths Riddles with Answers for Kids

1. A carton contains some apples, which were divided into two equal parts and sold to two traders, Tom and Nate. Tom had two fruit shops and decided to sell an equal number of apples at both shops, A and B. Sarah visited shop A and bought all the apples in the shop for her kids. After dividing all the apples equally among her children, each child got one apple and one apple was left over. Find the minimum number of apples in the carton.

Explanation:
Let the number of children be X.
Therefore, the number of apples bought by Sarah = (X + 1).
The total number of apples in shop A = (X + 1).
Total number of apples bought by Trader Tom = 2(X + 1).
Total number of apples in the carton = 4(X + 1).
Now, for the minimum number of apples in the carton, we assume:
X is not equal to 0.
X is not equal to 1 (Sarah has children, not a single child).
X is equal to 2 (Sarah has a minimum of 2 children).
When X = 2:
4(X + 1) = 4(2 + 1) = 12.
Thus, the minimum is 12 apples.

2. A monkey is trying to climb a coconut tree. He takes 3 steps forward and slips back 2 steps downward. Each forward step is 30 cm and each backward step is 40 cm. How many steps are required to climb a 100 cm tree?

Explanation:
In each cycle, the monkey climbs 3 steps forward (3 × 30 cm = 90 cm) and slips 2 steps back (2 × 40 cm = 80 cm).
So one full cycle of 5 steps moves it a net of 10 cm upward (90 cm - 80 cm = 10 cm).
After the 1st cycle (5 steps), the monkey is at 10 cm.
On the next climb, it goes up 30 cm at a time: 10 cm → 40 cm → 70 cm → 100 cm.
It reaches the top of the 100 cm tree on the 3rd forward step of the 2nd cycle, before it can slip again.
So the total steps needed = 5 (first cycle) + 3 (final climb) = 8 steps.

3. A construction site requires at least 5 laborers to get a job done in 12 days. How many days will it take if 12 laborers are hired for the same job?

Explanation:
Let X be the amount of work to be done.
Let Y be the number of days taken by 12 laborers.
Equation of work done by 5 laborers:
X/5 = 12 days
X = 60
Equation of work done by 12 laborers:
X/12 = Y
60/12 = Y
Y = 5

4. You have a pound of cotton and a pound of iron. Which will weigh more?

Explanation:
1 pound of cotton = 1 pound of iron.
Pound is a unit of weight.

5. The sum of a daughter's and mother's age is 55. The age of the daughter is the mother's age reversed. Find the age of the mother and daughter, if the age of the mother is greater than 40 years.

Explanation:
Let the first digit of the mother's age be X.
Let the second digit of the mother's age be Y.
Thus the mother's age is XY.
The daughter's age is YX.
Let us assume X > Y, as the mother is always older than the daughter.
The sum of ages is given by the equation:
((10X) + Y) + ((10Y) + X) = 55
11X + 11Y = 55
Therefore possible ages can be:
Mother: 32 and Daughter: 23
Mother: 41 and Daughter: 14
As mentioned in the riddle, the mother is above 40 years of age, so we select the second solution.

6. You have 50 biscuits. How many times can you subtract 5 from 50 biscuits?

Explanation:
Once only, because after that it will not be 50 biscuits.
As you subtract 5 biscuits, it becomes 45 and not 50 anymore.

7. Get an even number from 7 without adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing any number.

Explanation:
SEVEN - S = EVEN

8. It is 9 am now. Emma studies for 2 hours, takes a bath for 1 hour, and then has lunch for 1 hour. How many hours are left before 9 am tomorrow?

Explanation:
Emma takes 4 hours (2 + 1 + 1) to complete studying, bathing, and eating her meal.
There are 24 hours between 9 am today and 9 am tomorrow.
24 hours - 4 hours = 20 hours

9. There are 8 apples. You take 4 away and then you return 1 apple. How many apples do you have?

Explanation:
You took 4 apples for yourself and returned 1 apple.
Therefore 4 - 1 = 3 apples.

10. The speed of a train is 3 m/sec and it takes 10 secs to cross a lamp post. What is the length of the train?

Explanation:
The train covers 3 m in 1 sec.
Therefore in 10 secs it will cover = 3 m × 10 sec = 30 m.
In 10 secs, the train of length 30 m will cross the lamp post.

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Conclusion

Solve these challenging math riddles with your child to understand their conceptual clarity. If your child is not performing well in mathematics, you can figure out their shortcomings by analyzing their approach to solving these riddles.

Sit with your child while solving math riddles to assess their problem-solving ability. Share hints to help them solve most of the riddles correctly, and explain each and every answer to make sure your child never repeats similar mistakes while solving problems.