Only a few can solve it: Japanese math puzzle that will make you think

Puzzles develop logical thinking, concentration, and ingenuity. So it is not surprising that they are honored and loved by different nations of the world.

Recently, a Japanese math problem that not everyone can handle appeared online. Read on and find out if your mental abilities are enough to solve this problem.

Define the hidden number

This amazing puzzle was designed by Japanese inventor Nob Yoshigahara. At first it may seem simple, but when you start bringing up assumptions, you will realize that it is not.

Such tasks not only help to have a good time but also develop logical thinking, the ability to analyze information, ingenuity, and creativity of people of all ages. They also improve concentration, patience, and perseverance in achieving goals.

Solution

When people first encounter this puzzle, they usually start by adding and subtracting numbers together. As a result, they see that the top numbers 99 and 72 when subtracted equal 27, which is the number they point to with the arrows. At the same time, 45 minus 27 equals 18, and 39 minus 18 equals 21.

Given this, most people would think that the correct answer is 15, but it is not.

If you subtract the last digits in the chain, i.e. 21 minus 13, you get 8, but the picture shows the number 7. This indicates that the secret of the puzzle is not subtraction at all.

If you have already found the secret to this task, congratulations. You have an incredible mind and exceptional analytical skills. Now we suggest you look at the correct answer and make sure it matches yours.

The correct answer

The trick is to add digits rather than two-digit numbers. That is, 99 and 72 should be divided and added as follows: 9+9+7+2, and the solution is again 27. Then, the numbers 45 and 27 are 4+5+2+7, which also equals 18, and so on. A similar scheme will work with all examples, so the correct answer is that the hidden number is 12.

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