Brain Teasers
The Napkin and the Coins
Situation
Situation puzzles (sometimes called lateral thinking puzzles) are ones where you need to ask lots of yes or no questions to figure out what happened in the situation. These are good puzzles for groups where one person knows the puzzle and answers the questions.Situation
You decide to make a bet with Fred. You have 2 identical coins and a napkin.
You place one coin on the table and put the napkin over it. You hide the other coin in your hand. You bet Fred that you can remove the coin from under the napkin without touching the napkin, blowing on it or using another object to move the napkin out of the way. You also cannot move the table. In addition, keep in mind that if you use the other coin to make it appear as though you have removed the first coin, there is nothing to stop Fred from checking under the napkin.
Fred is convinced that you cannot do it. How do you win the bet by following all the above conditions?
You place one coin on the table and put the napkin over it. You hide the other coin in your hand. You bet Fred that you can remove the coin from under the napkin without touching the napkin, blowing on it or using another object to move the napkin out of the way. You also cannot move the table. In addition, keep in mind that if you use the other coin to make it appear as though you have removed the first coin, there is nothing to stop Fred from checking under the napkin.
Fred is convinced that you cannot do it. How do you win the bet by following all the above conditions?
Hint
What will Fred do when you reveal the second coin?Answer
You put your hand under the table and move it out, revealing the second coin to Fred.Naturally he will immediately lift up the napkin to try to prove you wrong, meaning he will lift up the napkin for you, allowing you to remove the first coin without touching the napkin!
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