100 Original Math Puzzles (Inspired by common puzzle

styles)
Below are 100 original math puzzles. Try to solve them before checking the solutions in the
Solutions section (starts on the next page).

1. If you multiply a number by 3, add 83, divide by 2 and get 16, what was the original
number?

2. A two-digit number equals the reverse of its digits plus 27. What is the number?

3. Sum of first 6 odd numbers is ?

4. If you multiply a number by 3, add 77, divide by 2 and get 56, what was the original
number?

5. A two-digit number equals the reverse of its digits plus 27. What is the number?

6. Sum of first 11 odd numbers is ?

7. If you multiply a number by 3, add 30, divide by 2 and get 59, what was the original
number?

8. A two-digit number equals the reverse of its digits plus 18. What is the number?

9. Sum of first 6 odd numbers is ?

10. If you multiply a number by 3, add 13, divide by 2 and get 50, what was the original
number?

11. A two-digit number equals the reverse of its digits plus 27. What is the number?

12. Sum of first 6 odd numbers is ?

13. If you multiply a number by 3, add 72, divide by 2 and get 39, what was the original
number?

14. A two-digit number equals the reverse of its digits plus 9. What is the number?

15. Sum of first 6 odd numbers is ?

16. If you multiply a number by 3, add 50, divide by 2 and get 37, what was the original
number?

17. A two-digit number equals the reverse of its digits plus 9. What is the number?

18. Sum of first 6 odd numbers is ?

19. If you multiply a number by 3, add 79, divide by 2 and get 83, what was the original
number?

20. A two-digit number equals the reverse of its digits plus 18. What is the number?

21. Sum of first 8 odd numbers is ?

22. If you multiply a number by 3, add 89, divide by 2 and get 43, what was the original
number?

23. A two-digit number equals the reverse of its digits plus 9. What is the number?

24. Sum of first 8 odd numbers is ?

25. If you multiply a number by 3, add 85, divide by 2 and get 65, what was the original
number?

26. A two-digit number equals the reverse of its digits plus 9. What is the number?

27. Sum of first 11 odd numbers is ?

28. If you multiply a number by 3, add 76, divide by 2 and get 53, what was the original
number?

29. A two-digit number equals the reverse of its digits plus 9. What is the number?

30. Sum of first 11 odd numbers is ?

31. Find the next two terms: 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, ... (arithmetic progression)

32. Rahul is 44 years old and his son is 43. How many years ago was Rahul three times as
old as his son?

33. The product of two consecutive integers is 136. Find the integers.

34. Find the next two terms: 6, 16, 26, 36, 46, ... (arithmetic progression)

35. Rahul is 27 years old and his son is 48. How many years ago was Rahul three times as
old as his son?

36. The product of two consecutive integers is 81. Find the integers.

37. Find the next two terms: 12, 19, 26, 33, 40, ... (arithmetic progression)

38. Rahul is 38 years old and his son is 32. How many years ago was Rahul three times as
old as his son?

39. The product of two consecutive integers is 45. Find the integers.

40. Find the next two terms: 2, 8, 14, 20, 26, ... (arithmetic progression)
41. Rahul is 31 years old and his son is 37. How many years ago was Rahul three times as
old as his son?

42. The product of two consecutive integers is 20. Find the integers.

43. Find the next two terms: 12, 22, 32, 42, 52, ... (arithmetic progression)

44. Rahul is 32 years old and his son is 14. How many years ago was Rahul three times as
old as his son?

45. The product of two consecutive integers is 36. Find the integers.

46. Find the next two terms: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, ... (arithmetic progression)

47. Rahul is 58 years old and his son is 25. How many years ago was Rahul three times as
old as his son?

48. The product of two consecutive integers is 8. Find the integers.

49. Find the next two terms: 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, ... (arithmetic progression)

50. Rahul is 35 years old and his son is 8. How many years ago was Rahul three times as old
as his son?

51. The product of two consecutive integers is 76. Find the integers.

52. Find the next two terms: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, ... (arithmetic progression)

53. Rahul is 51 years old and his son is 9. How many years ago was Rahul three times as old
as his son?

54. The product of two consecutive integers is 45. Find the integers.

55. Find the next two terms: 4, 13, 22, 31, 40, ... (arithmetic progression)

56. Circle radius = 5 cm. What is circumference? (Use π)

57. What is the smaller angle between hour hand and minute hand at 5:33?

58. Rectangle with length 24 cm and width 9 cm. If each side increased by 2 cm, area
increases by how much?

59. Circle radius = 6 cm. What is circumference? (Use π)

60. What is the smaller angle between hour hand and minute hand at 9:48?

61. Rectangle with length 11 cm and width 14 cm. If each side increased by 2 cm, area
increases by how much?

62. Circle radius = 7 cm. What is circumference? (Use π)

63. What is the smaller angle between hour hand and minute hand at 7:42?

64. Rectangle with length 25 cm and width 8 cm. If each side increased by 2 cm, area
increases by how much?

65. Circle radius = 10 cm. What is circumference? (Use π)

66. What is the smaller angle between hour hand and minute hand at 9:28?

67. Rectangle with length 8 cm and width 6 cm. If each side increased by 2 cm, area
increases by how much?

68. Circle radius = 6 cm. What is circumference? (Use π)

69. What is the smaller angle between hour hand and minute hand at 2:21?

70. Rectangle with length 5 cm and width 12 cm. If each side increased by 2 cm, area
increases by how much?

71. Circle radius = 11 cm. What is circumference? (Use π)

72. What is the smaller angle between hour hand and minute hand at 4:37?

73. Rectangle with length 12 cm and width 3 cm. If each side increased by 2 cm, area
increases by how much?

74. Circle radius = 4 cm. What is circumference? (Use π)

75. What is the smaller angle between hour hand and minute hand at 11:03?

76. You have 12 coins, one is counterfeit (different weight). Using a balance scale, can you
always find the counterfeit in 3 weighings? (Yes/No) Briefly explain.

77. A farmer has a wolf, goat and cabbage. He must cross a river with a boat that can take
only one item besides him. How can he bring all safely?

78. You have 12 coins, one is counterfeit (different weight). Using a balance scale, can you
always find the counterfeit in 3 weighings? (Yes/No) Briefly explain.

79. A farmer has a wolf, goat and cabbage. He must cross a river with a boat that can take
only one item besides him. How can he bring all safely?

80. You have 12 coins, one is counterfeit (different weight). Using a balance scale, can you
always find the counterfeit in 3 weighings? (Yes/No) Briefly explain.

81. A farmer has a wolf, goat and cabbage. He must cross a river with a boat that can take
only one item besides him. How can he bring all safely?

82. You have 12 coins, one is counterfeit (different weight). Using a balance scale, can you
always find the counterfeit in 3 weighings? (Yes/No) Briefly explain.
83. A farmer has a wolf, goat and cabbage. He must cross a river with a boat that can take
only one item besides him. How can he bring all safely?

84. You have 12 coins, one is counterfeit (different weight). Using a balance scale, can you
always find the counterfeit in 3 weighings? (Yes/No) Briefly explain.

85. A farmer has a wolf, goat and cabbage. He must cross a river with a boat that can take
only one item besides him. How can he bring all safely?

86. You have 12 coins, one is counterfeit (different weight). Using a balance scale, can you
always find the counterfeit in 3 weighings? (Yes/No) Briefly explain.

87. A farmer has a wolf, goat and cabbage. He must cross a river with a boat that can take
only one item besides him. How can he bring all safely?

88. You have 12 coins, one is counterfeit (different weight). Using a balance scale, can you
always find the counterfeit in 3 weighings? (Yes/No) Briefly explain.

89. A farmer has a wolf, goat and cabbage. He must cross a river with a boat that can take
only one item besides him. How can he bring all safely?

90. You have 12 coins, one is counterfeit (different weight). Using a balance scale, can you
always find the counterfeit in 3 weighings? (Yes/No) Briefly explain.

91. A 3×3 magic square has numbers 1 to 9. What is the magic constant (sum of each row)?

92. If x + 1/x = 5, find x^2 + 1/x^2.

93. How many diagonals does a polygon with 20 sides have?

94. A train 200 m long passes a platform in 40 seconds. What is its speed in km/h?

95. You roll two fair dice. What is probability the sum is 7?

96. If area of square is 144 cm², what is length of diagonal?

97. A shopkeeper marks price up by 20% and then gives 10% discount. Net gain/loss
percent?

98. The sum of interior angles of a polygon is 2340°. How many sides?

99. Two numbers differ by 6 and their product is 135. What are the numbers?

100. A geometric progression has first term 3 and common ratio 2. Sum of first 8 terms?
Solutions to 100 Math Puzzles

1. Original number = (2×16 - 83)/3 = -17.0. Explanation: Solve ((3x)+83)/2=16.

2. Number = 22. Explanation: Let digits be t and o. 9(t-o)=27 -> t-o=3. Choose valid t,o.

3. Sum = 36. Explanation: Sum of first n odd numbers = n^2.

4. Original number = (2×56 - 77)/3 = 11.666666666666666. Explanation: Solve ((3x)

+77)/2=56.

5. Number = 11. Explanation: Let digits be t and o. 9(t-o)=27 -> t-o=3. Choose valid t,o.

6. Sum = 121. Explanation: Sum of first n odd numbers = n^2.

7. Original number = (2×59 - 30)/3 = 29.333333333333332. Explanation: Solve ((3x)

+30)/2=59.

8. Number = 31. Explanation: Let digits be t and o. 9(t-o)=18 -> t-o=2. Choose valid t,o.

9. Sum = 36. Explanation: Sum of first n odd numbers = n^2.

10. Original number = (2×50 - 13)/3 = 29.0. Explanation: Solve ((3x)+13)/2=50.

11. Number = 85. Explanation: Let digits be t and o. 9(t-o)=27 -> t-o=3. Choose valid t,o.

12. Sum = 36. Explanation: Sum of first n odd numbers = n^2.

13. Original number = (2×39 - 72)/3 = 2.0. Explanation: Solve ((3x)+72)/2=39.

14. Number = 43. Explanation: Let digits be t and o. 9(t-o)=9 -> t-o=1. Choose valid t,o.

15. Sum = 36. Explanation: Sum of first n odd numbers = n^2.

16. Original number = (2×37 - 50)/3 = 8.0. Explanation: Solve ((3x)+50)/2=37.

17. Number = 54. Explanation: Let digits be t and o. 9(t-o)=9 -> t-o=1. Choose valid t,o.

18. Sum = 36. Explanation: Sum of first n odd numbers = n^2.

19. Original number = (2×83 - 79)/3 = 29.0. Explanation: Solve ((3x)+79)/2=83.

20. Number = 53. Explanation: Let digits be t and o. 9(t-o)=18 -> t-o=2. Choose valid t,o.

21. Sum = 64. Explanation: Sum of first n odd numbers = n^2.

22. Original number = (2×43 - 89)/3 = -1.0. Explanation: Solve ((3x)+89)/2=43.

23. Number = 43. Explanation: Let digits be t and o. 9(t-o)=9 -> t-o=1. Choose valid t,o.
24. Sum = 64. Explanation: Sum of first n odd numbers = n^2.

25. Original number = (2×65 - 85)/3 = 15.0. Explanation: Solve ((3x)+85)/2=65.

26. Number = 98. Explanation: Let digits be t and o. 9(t-o)=9 -> t-o=1. Choose valid t,o.

27. Sum = 121. Explanation: Sum of first n odd numbers = n^2.

28. Original number = (2×53 - 76)/3 = 10.0. Explanation: Solve ((3x)+76)/2=53.

29. Number = 21. Explanation: Let digits be t and o. 9(t-o)=9 -> t-o=1. Choose valid t,o.

30. Sum = 121. Explanation: Sum of first n odd numbers = n^2.

31. Next two terms: 26, 29. Explanation: common difference = 3.

32. No integer solution. Explanation: Solve 44-t = 3(43-t) gives t = (3×43 - 44)/2 = 42.5.

33. No pair of consecutive positive integers multiply to 136. (Check factors).

34. Next two terms: 56, 66. Explanation: common difference = 10.

35. No integer solution. Explanation: Solve 27-t = 3(48-t) gives t = (3×48 - 27)/2 = 58.5.

36. No pair of consecutive positive integers multiply to 81. (Check factors).

37. Next two terms: 47, 54. Explanation: common difference = 7.

38. 29 years ago. Explanation: Solve 38-t = 3(32-t).

39. No pair of consecutive positive integers multiply to 45. (Check factors).

40. Next two terms: 32, 38. Explanation: common difference = 6.

41. 40 years ago. Explanation: Solve 31-t = 3(37-t).

42. The integers are 4 and 5.

43. Next two terms: 62, 72. Explanation: common difference = 10.

44. 5 years ago. Explanation: Solve 32-t = 3(14-t).

45. No pair of consecutive positive integers multiply to 36. (Check factors).

46. Next two terms: 60, 70. Explanation: common difference = 10.

47. No integer solution. Explanation: Solve 58-t = 3(25-t) gives t = (3×25 - 58)/2 = 8.5.

48. No pair of consecutive positive integers multiply to 8. (Check factors).

49. Next two terms: 38, 45. Explanation: common difference = 7.

50. No integer solution. Explanation: Solve 35-t = 3(8-t) gives t = (3×8 - 35)/2 = -5.5.

51. No pair of consecutive positive integers multiply to 76. (Check factors).

52. Next two terms: 18, 21. Explanation: common difference = 3.

53. No integer solution. Explanation: Solve 51-t = 3(9-t) gives t = (3×9 - 51)/2 = -12.0.

54. No pair of consecutive positive integers multiply to 45. (Check factors).

55. Next two terms: 49, 58. Explanation: common difference = 9.

56. Circumference = 2π×5 = 10π cm. Explanation: C=2πr.

57. 31.5 degrees. Explanation: hour angle = 30h+0.5m, minute angle=6m.

58. Area increases by 70 cm². Explanation: new area - old area.

59. Circumference = 2π×6 = 12π cm. Explanation: C=2πr.

60. 6.0 degrees. Explanation: hour angle = 30h+0.5m, minute angle=6m.

61. Area increases by 54 cm². Explanation: new area - old area.

62. Circumference = 2π×7 = 14π cm. Explanation: C=2πr.

63. 21.0 degrees. Explanation: hour angle = 30h+0.5m, minute angle=6m.

64. Area increases by 70 cm². Explanation: new area - old area.

65. Circumference = 2π×10 = 20π cm. Explanation: C=2πr.

66. 116.0 degrees. Explanation: hour angle = 30h+0.5m, minute angle=6m.

67. Area increases by 32 cm². Explanation: new area - old area.

68. Circumference = 2π×6 = 12π cm. Explanation: C=2πr.

69. 55.5 degrees. Explanation: hour angle = 30h+0.5m, minute angle=6m.

70. Area increases by 38 cm². Explanation: new area - old area.

71. Circumference = 2π×11 = 22π cm. Explanation: C=2πr.

72. 83.5 degrees. Explanation: hour angle = 30h+0.5m, minute angle=6m.

73. Area increases by 34 cm². Explanation: new area - old area.

74. Circumference = 2π×4 = 8π cm. Explanation: C=2πr.

75. 46.5 degrees. Explanation: hour angle = 30h+0.5m, minute angle=6m.

76. Yes. Explanation: ternary split method; 3 weighings give 3^3=27 outcomes enough to
identify coin and whether heavier or lighter.

77. Solution sequence: take goat over, return alone, take wolf over, bring goat back, take
cabbage over, return alone, take goat over. Explanation: prevents goat from being left with
wolf/cabbage alone.

78. Yes. Explanation: ternary split method; 3 weighings give 3^3=27 outcomes enough to
identify coin and whether heavier or lighter.

79. Solution sequence: take goat over, return alone, take wolf over, bring goat back, take
cabbage over, return alone, take goat over. Explanation: prevents goat from being left with
wolf/cabbage alone.

80. Yes. Explanation: ternary split method; 3 weighings give 3^3=27 outcomes enough to
identify coin and whether heavier or lighter.

81. Solution sequence: take goat over, return alone, take wolf over, bring goat back, take
cabbage over, return alone, take goat over. Explanation: prevents goat from being left with
wolf/cabbage alone.

82. Yes. Explanation: ternary split method; 3 weighings give 3^3=27 outcomes enough to
identify coin and whether heavier or lighter.

83. Solution sequence: take goat over, return alone, take wolf over, bring goat back, take
cabbage over, return alone, take goat over. Explanation: prevents goat from being left with
wolf/cabbage alone.

84. Yes. Explanation: ternary split method; 3 weighings give 3^3=27 outcomes enough to
identify coin and whether heavier or lighter.

85. Solution sequence: take goat over, return alone, take wolf over, bring goat back, take
cabbage over, return alone, take goat over. Explanation: prevents goat from being left with
wolf/cabbage alone.

86. Yes. Explanation: ternary split method; 3 weighings give 3^3=27 outcomes enough to
identify coin and whether heavier or lighter.

87. Solution sequence: take goat over, return alone, take wolf over, bring goat back, take
cabbage over, return alone, take goat over. Explanation: prevents goat from being left with
wolf/cabbage alone.

88. Yes. Explanation: ternary split method; 3 weighings give 3^3=27 outcomes enough to
identify coin and whether heavier or lighter.

89. Solution sequence: take goat over, return alone, take wolf over, bring goat back, take
cabbage over, return alone, take goat over. Explanation: prevents goat from being left with
wolf/cabbage alone.
90. Yes. Explanation: ternary split method; 3 weighings give 3^3=27 outcomes enough to
identify coin and whether heavier or lighter.

91. 15. Explanation: sum 1..9 =45, each of 3 rows sums to 45/3=15.

92. 23. Explanation: (x+1/x)^2 - 2.

93. 170. Explanation: n(n-3)/2.

94. 18 km/h. Explanation: 200/40=5 m/s => ×18/5 = 18 km/h.

95. 6/36 = 1/6. Explanation: favorable outcomes (1,6),(2,5),(3,4),(4,3),(5,2),(6,1).

96. 12√2 cm. Explanation: side=√144=12; diagonal=side×√2.

97. 8% gain. Explanation: net multiplier = 1.2×0.9 = 1.08.

98. 15 sides. Explanation: (n-2)×180 = 2340 -> n = 15.

99. Numbers: 9 and 15 OR -15 and -9. Explanation: solve y^2+6y-135=0.

100. 765. Explanation: formula a(r^n -1)/(r-1).