A Logical Combination

A Leap of Logic 2

In our first post on logic puzzles we looked at some very simple ideas of logic, we learned about inference and deduction and some of the ways they might be applied. We looked common pitfalls in logical thinking and of course we learned how to avoid them. In this post we will begin to explore the different kinds of logic puzzle that can be found, and start to apply the things we have learned.

If This is Logic Then That is a Solution

A Leap of Logic 1

Recently, Logic Puzzles have been in the news and depending on your point of view, it may have been for all the right, or all the wrong reasons. In this new series of blog posts we begin to explore the fascinating world of logic puzzles, why they both are, and aren't maths puzzles and of course why that statement is completely illogical.

Counting Chestnuts

Old Chestnuts 2

In the second of our series of posts looking at the old chestnuts of puzzling, we learn a valuable lesson about number puzzles and enjoy a couple of classic puzzles that are just crying out 'mathematics', and whispering 'lies'. So break out the calculators and grab a pencil and paper as we jump headfirst into the snowdrift that is number puzzles.

Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire

The Old Chestnuts

There are some puzzles we just don't normally touch on Wandering Puzzler, mainly because most puzzle fans have seen them before. However, like in any field of study there are things that can be learned from the classics. Join us this Christmas as we take a look a puzzles past and see what we can learn.

Thinking Further Outside The Box

Driving You Dotty
Part Two

In the last lateral thinking post we started to look at how to think outside the box and tackled a puzzle in different ways to get increasingly elegant solutions. Today we explore three more solutions that require further stretches of the imagination.

Thinking Outside The Box

Driving You Dotty
Part One

Recently I went on a departmental training and bonding trip to Northamptonshire. On the first night I performed in a scheduling based micro-musical with songs based on the works of Abba. The evening was filled with singing and dancing, getting to know our colleagues from London who we rarely get the chance to meet.

What has this got to do with lateral thinking, well think a little outside the box and I will show you.

Types of Puzzle

Puzzle Classification
Part 1

 Well back in 2012 we took a look at what defined a puzzle, we decided after some experimentation that it was all in the method. A question commands an answer from memory or from a given method. A puzzle asks you to find the method yourself.

Today we begin the epic task of sorting all of the hundreds of type of puzzles into categories.

The Christmas Investigations: The Crystal Maze Explaination

Christmas Investigations
Part Six

In the third and final of our Christmas investigations I left you pondering the problem of prisoners. In particular how to decide when it is better to release your locked in comrades in the game show The Crystal Maze.

How do you decide whether to release one of your locked-in teammates?

The Christmas Investigations - Adventure Game: Part Two

Christmas Investigations
Part Five

In our Christmas Investigation into The Adventure Game we visited Arg and tried to learn a little something about their culture, their ways of thinking and, most importantly, their currency. The task I set was a simple one:

How can you pay for your ticket home with the exact change.

The Christmas Investigations - Turnabout: Part Two

Christmas Investigations
Part Four

In the first of our Christmas Investigations we examined the strategic word game, Turnabout and tried to get to grips with its complex scoring method. We tried out The Sphere Game and The Star Game and in this post we'll aim to answer the first Christmas Investigation:

What is the maximum score on a Turnabout grid, and how can it achieved?

The Christmas Investigations - Crystal Maze

Christmas Investigations
Part Three

In the third of our Christmas Investigations we take a look at one of of the most popular game shows in the UK. Based on the French game show Fort Boyard; The Crystal Maze is a show everyone remembers fondly, the question is:

How do you decide when it is in your teams favour to buy someone out?

The Christmas Investigations - The Adventure Game

Christmas Investigations
Part Two

In our second Christmas Investigation we travel to Arg, the planet featured in the classic BBC game show - The Adventure Game. We'll tackle some multi stage lateral thinking puzzles before we get down to the serious business of money and tackle a mathematical problem with a difference.

Can you decipher the hidden values of the Argond currency?

The Christmas Investigations - Turnabout

Christmas Investigations
Part One

Delve into a world of word puzzles and strategic thinking in the first of my Christmas Investigations. We look at the different word games featured in Turnabout before exploring the strategic play of the sphere game.

What is the maximum score on a Turnabout grid, and how can it achieved?

Never A Crossed Word

Cryptic Crosswords
Part Sixteen

We have reached the end, well, almost the end, of our tour through the world of cryptic crosswords. Before we hang up our pencils for a while, we just have the small matter of three clues to fill in.

Just Plain Cryptic

Cryptic Crosswords
Part Fifteen

So we have been looking at cryptic crosswords for some considerable time without actually solving any cryptic crossword clues. I see the furrowed brow and look of confusion you are pointing in my direction; but I stand by that statement.

The final type of clue we will be looking at in this crossword is the pure cryptic. The most cryptic of all cryptic crossword clues.

Three Cheers for our Queer Old Dean!

Cryptic Crosswords
Part Fourteen

Never let it be said that I pass up an opportunity for a thoroughly rude blog title. In this post we continue our exploration of Cryptic Crosswords with a look at one of the more light hearted and entertaining crossword clues.

Sounds Like An Answer

Cryptic Crosswords
Part Thirteen

That title needs a comma in it somewhere, I know. This is a relatively short post to give you the answer to the remaining crossword clue from our post on Sounds Like clues.

Sounds Good

Cryptic Crosswords
Part Twelve

Today we’re looking at another variation on the Charades clue that occasionally crops up in Cryptic Crosswords; indeed there’s a single one hiding out in our master crossword grid.

Give Us A Clue!

Cryptic Crosswords
Part Eleven

Find out how you fared with Charades clues and fill in some more spaces in our Cryptic Crossword as we examine the solutions to the clues I set in the last post.

Charades!

Cryptic Crosswords
Part Ten

In our last post on Cryptic Crosswords we didn't get the chance to fill in any of our master puzzle grid. We're definitely going to make up for that today as we explore a more specific type of wordplay clue; charades.