Ren Ecosystem. Logic Puzzles That Only Smarty Pants Can Solve (Part 2)

(Photo: PAKIN SONGMOR/GETTY IMAGES)

It might not seem like there's enough information to solve these logic puzzles—but that's part of the fun!

As an academic discipline, logic is the study of reasoning. Logic puzzles, therefore, involve solving problems by making a series of inferences and assessing these using reasoning. Sounds easy, right? Not exactly.

Easier logic puzzles for kids tend to have simpler setups—and therefore fewer possibilities to examine and eliminate. Harder logic puzzles for adults, however, are often deceptively short. They seem simple at first, but you’re often left wondering whether there’s really enough information to draw a conclusion. These brainteasers are a test for your cognition, intelligence and reasoning abilities, which is what makes them so fun.

Like some of the hardest math puzzles and riddles, these reasoning puzzles can get very complex. Ready give it a go? Here are logic puzzles (with answers) that will test your smarts like never before. Happy solving!

What is a logic puzzle?

Logic puzzles come in various forms and have a near-infinite number of themes. But at their core, these reasoning puzzles present a series of clues and constraints, like detective riddles do. Solvers must then process each in turn to identify contradictions and eliminate possibilities until they arrive at the solution.

How do you solve a logic puzzle?

No matter the format, the key to solving any of these brainteasers is to use the process of deduction. You might not think there’s enough information at first. But read the clues several times. You’ll have fewer and fewer possibilities to analyze with each pass.

Use a pad and pen (or the Notes app on your phone) to brainstorm different scenarios, then eliminate the possibilities to arrive at the solution. Work your way through the easy ones first, then, as you gain some confidence, try the harder logic puzzles.

Now that you know how to solve them, let’s try out a few challenging riddles!

Medium-hard logic puzzles

Ready to move on from the easy riddles (from Part 1)? These are a bit trickier, so we recommend these logic puzzles for adults. They are still good brainteasers for kids, but younger children might not be able to solve them on their own and may need some help.

1) Dads and grads

(Photo: READER'S DIGEST, GETTY IMAGES)

A joint Father’s Day and graduation party is being thrown for Michael, Ken, James, Alberto, Elias and Stephanie. Three of them are newly minted high school graduates. The other three are their dads.

Stephanie went to the senior prom with Michael’s son.
Elias and James played on the school’s baseball team. One of them is Alberto’s son.
Michael and Elias are not related.

Can you match the high school graduates to their fathers at this joint celebration?

2) Allergy season

(Photo: READER'S DIGEST, GETTY IMAGES (2))

Five friends (Allegra, Ben, Clara, Flora and Zach) are each allergic to something different: pollen, shellfish, bee stings, cats or nuts.

Allegra has a food allergy
Ben can play with his kitten for hours without issue (or medicine).
Clara’s allergy is not related to animals.
Flora has seasonal allergies.

Can you figure out who is allergic to what?

3) Here’s the deal

(Photo: READER'S DIGEST)

Four playing cards, one of each suit, lie face down on a table. They are a three, a four, a five and a six.

The cards on either side of the four are black.
The club is to the right of the three but not next to it.
The spade is to the left of the heart.
The middle two cards add up to an even number. Neither of them is a club.

Can you determine the cards’ suits and their order?

4) Party at Charlie’s

(Photo: READER'S DIGEST, Roderick Kimball)

You’ve been invited to a party at Charlie’s house, but you’ve never been there. He has seven friends who live nearby. They’ve given you a map showing their houses and Charlie’s house, along with the following information:

Daniel: I can’t see Benita’s house because Greta’s house is in the way.
Adam: I live directly (not diagonally) across the street from Daniel.
Benita: Elena lives due west of me.
Elena: I have to cross three streets to walk to Franco’s house.
Hal: I live east of Benita.

Can you figure out which house is Charlie’s?

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ANSWERS

1) Dads and grads

Stephanie went to the senior prom with Michael’s son.
Elias and James played on the school’s baseball team. One of them is Alberto’s son.
Michael and Elias are not related.

Can you match the high school graduates to their fathers at this joint celebration?

Answer:

Alberto is Elias’ dad, Ken is Stephanie’s dad and Michael is James’ dad.

2) Allergy season

Five friends (Allegra, Ben, Clara, Flora and Zach) are each allergic to something different: pollen, shellfish, bee stings, cats or nuts.

Allegra has a food allergy
Ben can play with his kitten for hours without issue (or medicine).
Clara’s allergy is not related to animals.
Flora has seasonal allergies.

Can you figure out who is allergic to what?

Answer:

Allegra is allergic to shellfish, Ben to bee stings, Clara to nuts, Flora to pollen and Zach to cats.

3) Here’s the deal

Four playing cards, one of each suit, lie face down on a table. They are a three, a four, a five and a six.

The cards on either side of the four are black.
The club is to the right of the three but not next to it.
The spade is to the left of the heart.
The middle two cards add up to an even number. Neither of them is a club.

Can you determine the cards’ suits and their order?

Answer:

From left to right: Three of diamonds, six of spades, four of hearts, five of clubs.

4) Party at Charlie’s

Daniel: I can’t see Benita’s house because Greta’s house is in the way.
Adam: I live directly (not diagonally) across the street from Daniel.
Benita: Elena lives due west of me.
Elena: I have to cross three streets to walk to Franco’s house.
Hal: I live east of Benita.

Can you figure out which house is Charlie’s?

Answer:

House E.

This article appeared in Reader's Digest (https://www.rd.com/article/logic-puzzles/).