Earlier today, I presented you with six stencil puzzles inspired by an IQ test designed by Grace Arthur, an American psychologist in the 1920s. Each puzzle features a patterned square at the top, and the task is to determine how to recreate this square by arranging the stencils and colored blocks available.
Let’s start with the first example. It may seem straightforward, but astonishingly, approximately 90% of people, regardless of their IQ, make a mistake when attempting to solve it. Which stencils/blocks from A to L are used to create the top image, and in what order? The solution is KB.
Did you fall into the same trap as most people? I admit that I did initially when I first examined the puzzle. Many tend to choose KED because they fail to carefully consider the size of the cross.
Now, let’s move on to the remaining five questions. Some of them have multiple correct answers:
1. Solution: BCFD/BFCDS
2. Solution: GICJDK
3. Solution: HFIBEL
4. Solution: JILBFKD, JLIBFKD, JILBKFD, JLIBKFDS
5. Solution: KJEGCA
The images used in today’s puzzles are taken from the app Stenciletto. This app offers a fun reinterpretation of Grace Arthur’s stencil test and was originally developed by Jane Braybrook to assist her disabled son with his learning. To learn more about the app and Braybrook’s inspiring story, please refer to my original post.
For those interested, Stenciletto is available for iPhones on the AppStore and for Android devices on Google Play. Additional information can be found on the app’s website.
I post a new puzzle here every two weeks, always on a Monday. I’m constantly on the lookout for intriguing puzzles. If you have any suggestions, feel free to email me.
Additionally, I am available to give school talks about mathematics and puzzles, both online and in person. If your school is interested, please get in touch.
Exciting news for readers in the UK: On Saturday, July 8th, the print edition of the Guardian will include a Summer puzzle supplement that will provide hours of entertainment, particularly for fans of this column. The supplement includes fantastic pencil-and-paper logic puzzles created by one of the UK’s top puzzle creators, as well as a variety of crosswords, including a themed Jumbo by Brendan, and the first-ever appearance in the UK of a ‘Marching Bands’ puzzle. Remember to mark your calendars and don’t miss out on grabbing a copy on July 8th!
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