There’s something thrilling about the moment a puzzle finally clicks into place. You can almost feel the gears in your mind turning. This brain teaser promises exactly that—a flash of clarity followed by the smug satisfaction of cracking something most people can’t. The challenge is simple on paper: find the next number in the sequence in under 15 seconds. If you do, you’re officially part of the top tier of sharp thinkers, with an IQ estimated above 124. Tempted to give it a go?
Grab your metaphorical magnifying glass and let’s dive in.
Why logic puzzles sharpen your mind
Tackling IQ-style challenges is a bit like stretching before a run—it gets your mental muscles moving. According to researchers at University College London, logic-based puzzles can improve problem-solving speed and boost working memory by engaging both sides of the brain. It’s not just about numbers; it’s about recognising patterns, identifying relationships, and holding multiple ideas in your head all at once.
When you wrestle with a problem like this, you’re effectively training your brain to think more efficiently. It’s the same part of your intellect that helps you spot shortcuts on your commute or notice when your colleague’s “new idea” sounds oddly familiar.
So yes, these puzzles may look like light entertainment, but they’re stealthy little workouts for the mind.
The puzzle: can you spot the hidden logic?
Here’s the challenge: three columns of numbers. Each has two figures stacked vertically, and your task is to find the missing number in the third row. It might seem straightforward, but here’s the catch—you’ve only got 15 seconds.
Before you scroll, take a quick look and think: what’s the link between the numbers? Are they doubling, halving, following a pattern? The trick is in the relationship between columns, not just within them.
Clock’s ticking… got your answer?
The solution—and the reasoning behind it
If your answer was 30, you can give yourself a well-deserved mental high five. The logic lies in simple addition: each bottom number equals the sum of the two numbers above it.
- In the first column, 3 + 2 = 5
- In the second, 9 + 6 = 15
- So in the third, 18 + 12 = 30
It’s the kind of rule that seems obvious once revealed—classic puzzle psychology. Your brain initially looks for something complex, missing the straightforward pattern hiding in plain sight.
What your result says about you
If you cracked it in under 15 seconds, congratulations—you’ve got above-average analytical thinking and a sharp eye for structure. Psychologists often link this skill set to higher scores in pattern recognition tasks, a core component of IQ assessments used by organisations like Mensa.
If you didn’t get it, don’t worry. This isn’t a reflection of intelligence so much as approach. Sometimes our minds get so busy searching for clever answers that we overlook the obvious ones. The good news? Like any muscle, your cognitive agility improves with practice.
Challenge your friends—and your limits
Next time you’ve got a coffee break or a long train ride, try throwing this riddle at a friend. It’s amazing how differently people’s minds work when faced with the same problem. Some jump to algebra, others see geometry where there is none—and a few simply smile and spot the answer instantly.
Keep testing yourself with small mental challenges like this. They don’t just make you sharper; they remind you how satisfying it is to think deeply, even for a few minutes a day. After all, every detective, scientist and innovator started with one thing in common: a curious mind that refused to stop asking, what comes next?
