Terry Stickels - The Big Brain Puzzle Book

I would like to thank the following people who worked tirelessly on this book-Ms. Christy Davis, Ms. Beverly Skicko, and Ms. Kelsey Joyce ... thank you for all your hard work. Bibliographical Note This Dover edition, first published in 2016, is an unabridged republication of the work originally published in 2009. Bibliographical Note This Dover edition, first published in 2016, is an unabridged republication of the work originally published in 2009.

A new Introduction, written by the author, has been specially prepared for the present edition. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Stickels, Terry H., author. Title: The big brain puzzle book / Terry Stickels. Description: Dover edition. | Mineola, New York : Dover Publications, Inc., [2016] | Revised edition omitting some previous content. | Brain stimulation. | Brain stimulation.

Classification: LCC GV1493 .S815 2016 | DDC 793.73dc23 LC record available at http://lccn.loc.gov/2015027539 Manufactured in the United States by RR Donnelley 80290601 2016 www.doverpublications.com Table of ContentsPUZZLE CATEGORY KEY:CREATIVE THINKING: Thinking outside the boxMATHEMATICS: Computational skillsLOGIC: Analysis and deductionLANGUAGE: Definitions, usage, and sentence structureVISUAL: Observation, spatial reasoning, and pattern recognitionWORDPLAY: Word and letter manipulationKNOWLEDGE: Book smarts and memoryIntroduction ... one thing Im good at is spending an infinite amount of time solving a puzzle. Nobel laureate Richard P. Feynman (physics) (taken from the book What Do You Care What Other People Think? W. W. Norton & Company Publishing, 1988) Richard Feynmans quote pops into my head frequently because it accentuates the theme I keep in mind when creating puzzles; almost everyone, of all ages, enjoys a fun challenge.

And I like the challenge of making those people happy with a wide range of puzzles. From Nobel Prize-winning physicists to 8-year-old kids in Seattle, one need not look far to find puzzle enthusiasts of all kinds. And it seems puzzles popularity is continually growing. Word search, sudoku, crosswords, math teasers, digital puzzles, jumbles, anagrams, spatial/visual ... I counted over 40 different types at one time. There is something for everyone.

And that is the theme of the book you now hold in your hands. In this book, there are three levels of puzzle difficulty, ranging from easy to difficult (though the most difficult puzzles are not in the range that would make Dr. Feynman cringe). They just take a little more elbow grease. In each section, I have done my best to mix up the puzzle types so everyone can have some fun. And, Ill let you in on a secret.

I enjoyed writing this more than any of my other books. Thats because I wrote it for me first, but with you in mind. In fact, thats what most writers and musicians do all the time. They just dont usually talk about it. I tried to imagine all the puzzles I liked from the time I was 8 years old until now, with a few new categories mixed in for good measure. It is virtually of no importance what the category names are for these puzzles.

All that matters is that you have a good time solving them. And, hopefully, I am able to challenge you on some of the puzzles. There is one other interesting feature of this collection. They also make great puzzles to solve in groups. Try them out with family, friends, coworkers, and even at local establishments you may frequent. You might be surprised at the laughter and groans they elicit.

Enough said. Its time for you to show your puzzle acumen. Good luck and happy puzzling!! I hope it brings a smile to your face. T ERRY S TICKELS level 1KICK START YOUR NEURONS!Mentally stimulating activities strengthen brain cells and the connections between them, and may even create new nerve cells. WORDPLAY Below are the names of six states with their vowels removed. KLHM 2. NDN 3. H 4. LLNS 5. W 6. W 6.

RGN WORDPLAY The six words below share an unusual characteristic thats not found in many English words. What is it? HINT: Look at these words from a different perspective. animal deliver looter diaper drawer straw WORDPLAY Below are 16 letters that form a common, everyday word. Using each given letter just once, can you figure out what the word is? CREATIVE THINKING Find the hidden word or phrase! VISUALIZATION How many cubes are missing from the following stack that was originally 5 5 5? All rows and columns run to completion unless you actually see them end. LOGIC You are a prisoner sentenced to death. The Emperor offers you a chance to live by playing a simple game.

He gives you 50 black marbles, 50 white marbles, and 2 empty bowls. He then says, Divide these 100 marbles into these 2 bowls. You can divide them any way you like as long as you use all the marbles. Then, I will blindfold you and mix the bowls around. You then can choose one bowl and remove ONE marble. If the marble is WHITE you will live, but if the marble is BLACK...you will die.

How do you divide the marbles up so that you have the greatest probability of choosing a WHITE marble? LANGUAGE The words below share an interesting feature that is common, basic, and known to all. What is it? HINT: Sound? abuse contest permit produce rebel use convert WORDPLAY Five of the six words below share a characteristic not present in the sixth word. Which word is the odd one out? HINT: Look closely physiography ingratiating entertainment underground hotshot tenement WORDPLAY You will find out this paragraph is unusual. Why? Youll find out soon, if you dont know by now. Think about whats right in front of you. Dont rushyou can sit for days or months to think about this.

But, I know you wont drag this out for too long. You wont fail. I know you. Your brain will finally find a solution. By now, you probably know whats wrong with this paragraph, right? What do you think? I await your solution. Ill wait as long as you want to wait.

So, whats your logical mind say about this paragraph? I know you know by now. KNOWLEDGE All but one of these states has a panhandle. Which is the odd one out? AlaskaColoradoFloridaIdahoOklahomaTexas WORDPLAY Below is a puzzle I call a Trickledown puzzle. These types of puzzles were made famous by Lewis Carroll and have different namesfrom doublets to word ladders. Regardless of what theyre called, theyre fun. In my version, you are to change one letter per word, starting with the second word.

When you change a letter, the resulting word must be a word found in the dictionary. You keep changing one letter, per line until you reach the final word. Heres an example: