The Mind's Eye

Each of the three figures above can be cut up in such a way that the pieces are exactly the same size and shape. In other words, two pieces which can be placed exactly one on top of the other. If you think you know the solution, copy and print the picture above (see Help), and try it.

What do these three pairs look like?

Here you see a halfpenny stamp, with a picture of Columbus standing on his ship peering through his telescope. This stamp was published by the British Council for Overseas Areas in 1903. But there is something strange about this stamp. Can you find it?

Here you see a square which is divided into fanciful shapes and looks like a map. If you look carefully, you should be able to find the number of the black shape.

What number should come where the question mark is?

Paridaan must have been drinking when he wrote these symbols; they resemble hieroglyphics. Although I cannot read hieroglyphics, I can see he forgot to write one symbol.

What do you think the next symbol should be?

Draw four lines each of which connect to the same figure. The lines may not cross each other or go outside the edges of the rectangle.

Try it!

Two identical bolts are placed together so that their helical grooves intermesh. If you move the bolts around each other as you would twiddle your thumbs, will the heads move:

1. inwards
2. outwards
3. remain the same

What do you think? Try to solve this without the help of real bolts.

Can you correctly determine the sum of the numbers on the disks that are partially positioned under the white disk?