The Strange Pattern



What is the pattern about the following sequence of numbers?
8 5 4 9 1 7 6 10 3 2 0

Ah! Click here to read the solution.

The numbers are arranged in alphabetical order.

(eight, five, four, nine, one, seven, six, ten, three, two, zero)



The Socks



You have 12 black socks and 12 white socks mixed up in a drawer. You’re up very early and it’s too dark to tell them apart. What’s the smallest number of socks you need to take out (blindly) to be sure of having a matching pair?

Ah! Click here to read the solution.

3 socks. If the first sock is black, the second one could be black, in which case you have a matching pair. If the second sock is white, the third sock will be either black and match the first sock, or white and match the second sock.