Marge and Terry are both looking intently at a 4-inch X 4-inch musical symbol, but neither of them is thinking about music. Marge initiates their activity by placing a letter of the alphabet into the upper left quadrant of the symbol. Terry counters by putting a different letter of the alphabet into the lower-right section of the figure. Marge retaliates by inscribing the same letter she used the first time, into the lower-left section of the musical emblem. Terry responds by placing the same letter he just used, into the middle-left area of the image. Marge begins to smile brightly and places the same letter she has been using into the upper-right quadrant of the figure. Terry then grimaces and writes the exact same letter he has been using, placing it in the center of the symbol. Marge then gives a gleeful laugh and puts her same letter into the top-middle of the emblem. She then draws a line and shouts out three words to Terry, which make him feel a bit sad and disappointed. What are the three words Marge shouts at Terry, and exactly what has been going on here?
Think about a common game that involves placing letters in a grid, and the three words Marge shouts at Terry might be a familiar phrase often heard at the end of such a game.
Marge and Terry have been playing the game of “Tic-Tac-Toe”, and these are the three words she shouts at him after beating him. The musical symbol called a Sharp, looks just like a Tic-Tac-Toe grid.
Marge and Lucille were best of friends, but both of them were highly competitive. One day they entered a grueling 50-mile bicycle race along with a large group of other contestants. Lucille was the more experienced of the two riders, but throughout the race, Marge was always out in front of her. Not once did she allow Lucille to pass her, but Lucille's fiery, competitive spirit would not be quenched, as she never let Marge out of her sight for even one instant. Even after 50 long miles, Marge and Lucille were only separated by a couple of feet, with Marge finally passing the finish line less than one second ahead of Lucille. Neither racer won, but they both finished in the top ten of all the competitors. After the race, Lucille was asked about her competing with her friend Marge. All Lucille would say was, "I couldn't have passed her, even if I had wanted to. In fact, it was impossible." What led Lucille to make such a bizarre statement?"
Think about the physical positioning of Marge and Lucille throughout the race...
Marge and Lucille had been participating in a tandem bicycle race (bicycles built for two people).
A tall, burly, unarmed man and a short, slim, unarmed man, both dressed in sheer nylon stockings, women's clothing, and blond wigs, enter a bar in New York City. The tall, burly man approaches the bartender and asks him for something. Immediately, the bartender reaches below the counter, pulls out a gun, and shoots the man. The short, slim man responds by quickly bolting from the bar. New Yorkers have a reputation for being testy and unfriendly, but wasn't this a bit extreme? In fact, when the police arrived on the scene, they backed the bartender and did not charge him with any crime. What do you suppose the tall, burly man had requested from the bartender which led to his being shot, and why did the police support the bartender’s extreme reaction?
Here's a hint:
Think about the occupation of the bartender and the unusual attire of the two men. The answer lies in a specific profession and a crucial detail in the description.
The man asked the bartender to give him all the bar’s money. The bartender’s extreme reaction was due to the fact that both the tall and short man were wearing their sheer nylon stockings over their heads when the request was made.
You're in a magical bathroom with no windows and the only way things can get in and out is by an open door. You decide to have a bath so you turn on the tap, you shut the door and the handle breaks so you can't open it, you then turn off the tap and the knob breaks so water keeps coming. How do you save yourself from drowning?
Think about what you can do BEFORE the water starts rising...
Trains travel from one town to another town all day, always on the same track, always going nonstop and at the same speed. The noon train took 80 minutes to complete the trip, but the 4 PM train took an hour and 20 minutes. Why?
Think about the timing of the trains and how it might affect the duration of their trips...
Within, I clean all that is bad and old. I make juice that's the color of gold. Should I die, a filter machine would you need to assemble to replace me, and a bean I resemble... What am I?
Think about a common household item that's used for a specific task, and its shape and function might remind you of a type of bean...
Scientists have proven that cats have more hair on one side than on the other side. Some people believe that this is because when cats lay on their sides they need insulation from the cold on the floor or ground.
Which side of a cat has more hair?
A boy had just got out of the shower and getting ready for his prom, shaved, and with cologne and there was going to be an after-party, and his mom, and dad said to be home for the next sunrise and was home for the next sunrise but with a full-grown beard. How can this be?
Think about the timing and the event... the boy was getting ready for prom, which means it was likely in the evening. Now, consider the phrase "home for the next sunrise"... what does that imply about the current time of day when his parents gave the instruction?
He lives in Alaska and sunrises are every six months.
If someone says to you, "I'll bet you $1 that if you give me $2, I will give you $3 in return", would this be a good bet for you to accept?
Think about the transaction, not the bet.
No. This is a situation where you lose even if you win. Assuming the other person is being wise, they would take your $2 and say, "I lose", and give you $1 in return. You win the bet, but you're out $1.
What is the smallest whole number that is equal to seven times the sum of its digits?
Think about the maximum number of digits a number can have to still be a plausible solution...
The answer to this math riddle is 21. You probably just guessed to answer this math riddle, which is fine, but you can also work it out algebraically. The two-digit number ab stands for 10a + b since the first digit represents 10s and the second represents units. If 10a + b = 7(a + b), then 10a + b = 7a + 7b, and so 3a = 6b, or, more simply, a = 2b. That is, the second digit must be twice the first. The smallest such number is 21.
Three matches are sitting on a table. Without adding another make for three matches four. You are not allowed to break any of the matches. How can this be done?
A woman shoots her husband. Then she holds him underwater for over 5 minutes. Finally, she hangs him. But 5 minutes later they both go out together and enjoy a wonderful dinner together. How can this be?
Think about a profession that involves developing photographs...
The woman was a photographer. She shot a picture of her husband, developed it, and hung it up to dry.
A man was shot to death while in his car. There were no powder marks on his clothing, which indicated that the gunman was outside the car. However, all the windows were up and the doors locked. After a close inspection was made, the only bullet holes discovered were on the man's body. How was he murdered?
Think about a specific situation where a man might be in his car, but not necessarily driving or parked on the road...
The victim was in a convertible. He was shot when the top was down.
You are a bus driver. Two kids get on and one kid gets off. Five kids get on and four get off. Nine kids get on another one gets off.
What color are the bus driver's eyes?
Think about what information you're given, and what information you're NOT given...
If your eyes are green, the answer is green. If your eyes are brown, the answer is brown, etc.
A guy bet his neighbor 50 bucks that his dog could jump higher than a house. Thinking this was not possible, the neighbor took the bet and lost.
Why did he lose the bet?
I come in many colors and I am very thin, I am found in every country, even in your home, I am very important, you can be very creative with me, I can even help you learn.
What am I?
Think about something you might find in a box or on a desk, used for a variety of purposes, from art projects to taking notes...
I can make you smile and frown. Make you laugh, and even make you cry. I can cause crashes, also you use me every day. I can make you dance. Some use me to go to sleep. What am I?
Think about something that can evoke emotions, is used daily, and has a strong impact on our lives... It's not a living thing, but it's always around us.
I'm first found in caves, now prolific online; I'm a depiction, a drawing, a symbol, or sign. I'll convey whichever mood you could wish; or for that matter, a fist, flask, or fish. What am I?
Think about ancient forms of communication that have evolved into modern digital expressions, and consider the versatility of a particular representation that can convey a wide range of emotions and objects.
I'm used for a lot of things, I'm used for flowers, plants, food and sometimes for decoration, I come in different colors and shapes and I break if you don't take care of me. What am I?
I am both a killer and a savior, it depends on those who wield me. I will bring you from deep water to the shallows, or maybe I could be the one who will hang you in the gallows. What am I?
Think about an object that can be used for both rescue and punishment, and is often associated with water and rope...
I'm a killing machine used again and again;
I bend a little, but way less than my friend;
For many years I was number one,
But I've been replaced by my modern son.
What am I?
Think about something that's been used for a long time, especially in the past, to accomplish a certain task, and has since been replaced by a newer, more efficient version...
The more of me you put on, the more you can remove. I come in many forms, but I'm generally liquid up high and solid down below. If you avoid me, I won't care, but others will. What am I?
Think about something you might wear or apply to your body, and how it can be affected by temperature changes...
This thing devours all things. All man, all beasts, all flowers and trees. Even the fiery sun, and the shadowy moon, will one day be devoured by this thing. Stone it grinds, metal it bites. And it shall make wood rot. Is it powerful? Well it is rather not, but it kills powerful things a lot. Its immortal yet it is not some type of god. What is it?
Think about something that is constantly present, yet often overlooked, and has a profound impact on everything around it, no matter how strong or powerful they may be...
One is very hard to get, yet every man wishes to get one. The other is very easy to get, yet no one wishes to get it. Every man's work is to get one at last. What are they?
Think about two things that are universal human experiences, one that people strive for and another that people try to avoid, yet ultimately, everyone will face...
Success and Failure! Other answers maybe accepted.