#21. Brain teaser to challenge your brain: The Blind Beggar
Exercise multiple areas of your brain by trying to answer this riddle…fast!
A blind beggar had a brother who died. What relation was the blind beggar to the brother who died?
Important: “Brother” is not the answer.
Now, your brain’s turn. What is the answer to this teaser?
Tick tick tick tick…
still working on it? …
Explanation:
This brain teaser IS clearly stated and yet stumps many who have not heard it before, because often the listener tends to make an assumption about gender — that a blind beggar is a man, and always so.
The cognitive puzzle touches on analytical functions like abstract reasoning, hypothesis testing, and implicit assumptions residing in your frontal lobes, as well as your creativity in finding novel solutions to problems and emotional memory.
Answer:
The blind beggar was the sister of her brother who sadly died.
Next in SharpBrains’ top 25 series of brain teasers for adults of any age:
- #22. Find the the Really, Really, Really Big Number
Dear Alvaro, this blog is amazing brother! I am a current undergrad student in biopsych and have a blog of my own. I was wondering if you have an email address where I can contact you or if you can just email me and I will reply with the questions. Nice Blog, keep up the geat work!
Ed
Happy Mind — Happy Mood
http://www.happy-mind.blogspot.com
Thanks for the kind words, Ed. In fact this post was written by Caroline-will make a public introduction now. Will shoot you an email.
This is the first time visiting this site and it is truly blowing my mind. I love it.
Joanne,
We’re so glad you like our blog! Our goal is that you both have fun and learn something along the way, so feel free to send us feedback anytime! Also, please note that we have now moved to http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog. Come visit us in our new location!
‑Caroline
I got this because I’d learned from the doctor who can’t operate on a family member. Does this mean I didn’t exercise my brain this time?
Reusing information still uses your brain (essentially you’re “practicing” something you already know), but the amount and pattern of neurons used is different when you already know something. To see what I mean, look at the picture here. As the information gets more routine, your brain becomes more efficient and exercises fewer neurons. Hence, we suggest “stretching practice” which means practicing cognitive skills, but always trying a slightly more challenging problem to ensure you engage as much of your brain as possible. This is also why computer-based brain workouts are more effective than an assortment of recreational activities. The software can keep pushing you a little more each time, even while exercising the same cognitive skills.
I thought sibling would be correct answer to Blind Beggar.
I cannot figure out how it is sister, can you please help?
Greg, you are right that “sibling” is a correct response, but it is not specific enough to be the answer. The hint tells you that “brother” is not the answer. So, the only other sibling left is a sister. Hope you enjoyed the puzzle!
The “hint” isn’t a hint. It’s a new constraint. I.e., it’s part of the problem.
So I don’t like the wording of this problem.
David,
Good point. I removed the “hint” and made it part of the puzzle. The original goal was to get you thinking about it, and then provide more information, but I see your point. Thanks for the feedback!
In Arabic the verbs and pronouns are different for both female and male. which made this test not easy for me
Hi Zizo, that’s good for you-you exercised your brain more than the rest of us :-)
‘ I fail to see how this is a puzzle — I got the answer in less than a second.
So you mean that, for you, seeing how this is a puzzle is a puzzle itself?
What is your guess?
Hmmm, I thought maybe they were monks? Brothers in a non-blood-relation sense?
Hello Jenn, that is a good observation, but if you follow the line of thought you’d have to say that the blind beggar is a brother too…and the problem states that is not the case.
Sister — The Blind Begger is a woman
Sibling is the correct answer.
Hey, I am a 12 year old student. My dad showed me this riddle, and i was confused. I thought about it for a couple minutes, still i didnt get it! {laughs) Finally, I got the answer…by scrolling down!!
Hello Tina! thanks for visiting our website, and trying to solve the riddle. That was very good for your brain…and you will do better next time :-)
haha. i was thinking “survivor”. yap, , the dead brother had a blind sister…
i am 13 and this was an easy riddle
Hello Miranda and Janice, thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoy the other teasers as well!
I thought “alive”..lol but see you you got sister.. :) Love this brain stuff
glad to hear that :-)