There are a number of puzzles around which bear the name of the preposterous puzzle but they all have the same basic theme. A more common name is the missing square puzzle and on first glance it appears to be a strange paradox. Two areas are shown which are made up from the same squares, however one seems to have a larger surface area than the other. How is this possible?
The most common variant of the preposterous puzzle is a square completely filled with wooden pieces, into which you are asked to place a smaller square without removing any pieces. Again this seems to be completely impossible but a solution actually exists!
Whatever variant of the puzzle you are subjected to, bear in mind that the solution is entirely logical – but you need to think with an open mind. Try challenging your friends and colleagues to solve the preposterous puzzle and watch them try to work it out. You may be there for some time!
Many people state simply that the puzzle is not solvable, but it’s a really clever arrangement of several pieces of wood. The truth is that it is entirely solvable but is rarely solved.
The seeming impossibility of this puzzle lies in the fact that most people are taught the basics of geometry at school and this reasoning and logic remain with them for many years after. The solution to the puzzle lies in the puzzled forgetting about what they have been taught and thinking about the only ways that the puzzle can be sold. Once you suspend previously taught principles (easier said than done) then the puzzle actually becomes quite easy and obvious.
Am I going to tell you the solution? No way! That’s for you to think about but once you have the solution, try betting a friend that the solution exists and that they should be able to find it within 15 minutes. Then sit back and watch!
