Puzzle 1
Below is a very special grid, around each shaded number are 8 white squares.
However, each white square should have a number from 1 to 7.
Once filled in, these 8 numbers will sum to the shaded number.
In addition, once completed correctly, no row nor column will contain a duplicate number within a white square.
For example, the top row may be 5 6 4 2 3 1 7, etc.
This is a very difficult puzzle, and many people resort to using a computer to help them, which is a challenge in itself.
Puzzle Copyright © Kevin Stone
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Hint
This puzzle almost certainly requires trial-and-error to solve, and there might be more than one solution.
Answer
There might be more than one correct solution.
Puzzle 2
What number comes next in this sequence:
31 30 31 31 ?
Clue: the answer is NOT 30!
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Hint
Does it start with January?
Answer
28.
The number of days in each month starting from October. The answer could also be 29 for a leap year.
The answer can't be 30, as the question specifically says that the answer is not 30, so it can't be the sequence starting with May.
Puzzle 3
Customer services at BrainBashers headquarters received the following letter recently.
Luckily, our top puzzle solvers were able to determine the meaning and help Sam South.
Can you work out what the problem was?
D-a- K-v-n,
- ---ld l-k- -- c-m-la-n ab--- -h- --- --- -f m- ----------.
-h-s- l-----s d- n-- a---a- -- b- ---k-ng c----c-l-.
As --- can s--, -h-- a-- m-ss-ng f--m -h-s d-c-m-n-.
- ---ld b- v--- g-a--f-l -f --- c--ld c----c- -h-s ---bl-m -mm-d-a--l-.
K-nd --ga-ds.
Sam S---h.
Puzzle Copyright © Kevin Stone
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Hint
Which letters are missing?
Answer
The letter was written on a typewriter that has a problem with the top row of letters printing correctly. The letter should have read:
Dear Kevin,
I would like to complain about the top row of my typewriter.
These letters do not appear to be working correctly.
As you can see, they are missing from this document.
I would be very grateful if you could correct this problem immediately.
Kind regards.
Sam South.
Puzzle 4
Can you unscramble the following anagrams to find ten well known seasonal words:
aanst, beeehhlmt, eeilmostt, hlloy, cgiknost, adentv, dhlopru, ejssu, amnnosw, aiinttvy
Puzzle Copyright © Kevin Stone
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Hint
The first letters of the words are: S, B, M, H, S, A, R, J, S, N.
Answer
Santa, Bethlehem, mistletoe, holly, stocking, advent, Rudolph, Jesus, snowman, nativity.
