On social media, many users are baffled by the ‘Harvard University’ brain teaser: Can you solve it?
A new brain teaser is making waves online, purportedly originating from the esteemed halls of Harvard University.
This intriguing puzzle has left many scratching their heads.
The challenge is not due to its mathematical complexity but because of its ambiguous phrasing.
Let’s delve into the details and uncover the possible solutions to this perplexing problem.
Many users baffled by the ‘Harvard University‘ brain teaser
The brain teaser presents a scenario that reads: “Seven men have seven wives. Each man and each wife have seven children. Q: What’s the total number of people?”
At first glance, the math might seem straightforward, but the interpretation of the scenario introduces complexity.
Social media creation.
Many viewers were stunned by the ‘Harvard University’ brainteaser, with some admitting they completely lacked the knowledge to solve it. However, many others provided their answers to the confusing brainteaser.
The ‘Harvard University’ brainteaser has gained attention online due to its ambiguous wording.
One person said: It says 7 men have 7 wives. It doesn’t say 7 men each have 7 wives. It’s saying that there are 7 men and 7 wives. So that’s only 14. But then it says each man and each wife has 7 children. So all 7 couples have 7 kids each together. That’s 49 kids. 14 adults, 49 kids, 63 people.
A second wrote: The answer is in the second line. Each man and each wife has 7 children. If one man had 7 wives, and each wife had 7 children, each man would have 49 children. But the riddle tells you that each man has 7 children. So 63 is the answer.
While a third commented: 63 because:
– There are 7 men
– Each man has 1 wife so there are 7 wives
– Each man and each wife has 7 children so each couple has 7 children. Since there are 7 couples, the total number of children is: 49
Now, to find the total number of people: 7+7+49
Another added: 1 man + 1 wife + 7 kids, 9 x 7 = 63 or
1 man + 1 wife + 14 kids , 16 x 7 = 112
Doesn’t say if the mans 7 kids belong to each one of his wife’s, and the wife’s kids may not be the man’s
Possible interpretations
1. Seven sen with seven wives each
If we interpret the statement as each of the seven men having seven wives, we first calculate the total number of wives:
– Number of wives: 7 men × 7 wives each = 49 wives
– Number of men: 7
– Total People (without children)**: 49 wives + 7 men = 56 people
Next, we add the children:
– Number of children per Marriage**: 7
– Total number of marriages**: 49 (since each of the 49 wives is paired with one of the seven men)
– Total number of children**: 49 marriages × 7 children each = 343 children
Combining these numbers:
-Total population: 56 people (adults) + 343 children = 399 people
2. Seven Couples
Alternatively, if we interpret the statement as describing seven couples, each consisting of one man and one wife, the calculations will differ.
In this case, the approach to solving the problem changes.
– Number of couples**: 7 (each consisting of 1 man and 1 wife)
– Total Adults: 7 men + 7 wives = 14 people
Each couple has seven children:
– Total number of children: 7 couples × 7 children each = 49 children
Combining these numbers:
– Total population: 14 adults + 49 children = 63 people
The ambiguity in the phrasing of the brainteaser allows for two plausible answers.
One answer is 399 people if each man has seven wives, while the other is 63 people if each man and woman form a couple.
While the latter interpretation aligns with a more practical scenario, considering modern legal constraints, both answers are mathematically valid.
The validity of each answer depends on the chosen interpretation.
Can you slove it?