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Most People Get This Quiz Wrong — Can You Outsmart the Average?
We all love a good brain teaser — something to challenge our thinking, push us to look at problems differently, and maybe even stump our know-it-all friend group. But every once in a while, a seemingly simple quiz comes along that trips up most people. And the craziest part? It’s usually not because it’s too hard — it’s because it’s sneaky.
This quiz is one of those. It’s short, clever, and designed to test your logic and attention to detail. Ready to find out if you’re one of the few who can actually get it right?
🤔 The Trick Question That Fools Most People
Let’s start with the classic:
Q: A bat and a ball cost $1.10 in total. The bat costs $1 more than the ball. How much does the ball cost?
Take a second. Most people instantly answer:
“10 cents.”
But… that’s not right. Let’s break it down:
- If the ball were $0.10, and the bat is $1 more, then the bat would be $1.10.
- $1.10 (bat) + $0.10 (ball) = $1.20 total. That’s too much.
💡 The correct answer?
The ball costs 5 cents, and the bat costs $1.05.
Together, they total $1.10, and the bat is indeed $1 more than the ball. ✅
🧠 Why Do So Many People Get It Wrong?
This question is a prime example of what psychologists call “cognitive bias” — specifically, the substitution heuristic. Your brain sees a simple-looking problem and rushes to a conclusion that feels right, without slowing down to think it through logically.
We’re wired to choose quick answers when we can. That’s great for survival, but not always great for tricky math puzzles.
🔄 Try Another One
Let’s keep the momentum going. See if you can get this one right:
Q: If it takes 5 machines 5 minutes to make 5 widgets, how long would it take 100 machines to make 100 widgets?
Ready for the answer?
5 minutes. Each machine takes 5 minutes to make a w
