Brainteasers are a great way to test the mind and push one of the body’s most important organs to its limits. Brainteasers can come in many different forms, they can be analytical, observational, or mathematical.
Observational brainteasers often involve solving a visual puzzle in an image such as spotting the odd one out from a group of objects or trying to spot the differences between two images. Mathematical brainteasers involve solving a maths question and trying to work out the answer as quickly as possible.
Analytical brainteasers are slightly different ask the user to solve a riddle or fill in the gaps to a question. The question posed to contestants on ITV’s 1% Club was an example of an analytical brainteaser.
For the final question of the show, which contestants compete in to win a cash prize, featured a missing letters brainteaser. They were asked “Using only two letters to fill in the blank, what is the word below? P _ _ _ E _ _ I _ N.”
The question is whether you can solve this tricky brainteaser in under nine seconds. According to the show, 99 percent of the public couldn’t answer it.
The answer was “Possession” and while the show had claimed that nearly 100 percent of the public couldn’t answer the question, many viewers at home were outraged.
GB News reported that many took to X to express their opinion that the final question had been too easy for a show where the final question is meant to be the hardest.
One person wrote: “Don’t usually get the last question, but I saw that one instantly. Easy peasy.” A second exclaimed: “That was easier than the few before!”
While some brainteasers are easier than others, they and other brain puzzles such as crosswords play a role in keeping the brain sharp, acting like exercise for the mind to keep it fit and healthy.
The healthier the mind is the less likely someone will be to develop a neurological condition such as dementia or Parkinson’s Disease. This doesn’t mean that brainteasers will stop someone from developing the condition, but they can keep the mind in fine shape.
Discussing the impact of brain puzzles and dementia on the mind with Wales Online Dr Tim Beanland said: “A good way to keep your brain healthy is to be mentally active throughout life, perhaps by learning another language or a musical instrument, or by writing, making art or doing puzzles.
“Central to this idea of cognitive stimulation is that it should challenge you, which often means trying new things: variety is the spice of brain health.”
