Each month, a new set of puzzles will be posted. Come back next month for the solutions and a new set of puzzles, or subscribe to have them sent directly to you.
Transportation Survey Puzzle62 people have taken part in a survey on modes of transport they use to travel to work. They have been asked whether they travel by Car only, Bus only, Train only or a combination of these three modes of travel.
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Can you work out how many people fall into each category?
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Number Sequence PuzzleThe 5th and the 9th terms in a regular number sequence are 11 and 17 respectively. What is the sum total of the first 20 terms in the sequence? Hint: Follow these 4 steps, which can be used for any normal sequences of numbers
Multiply Step 3 by the total number of terms in the sequence to get the total sum of the first 20 terms. |
Tennis Match PuzzleMargaret and Fiona decided to play tennis against each other. They bet £1 on each game they played. Margaret won three bets and Fiona won £5. How many games did they play? |
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There are more than one way of doing these puzzles and may well be more than one answer. Please let me and others know what alternatives you find by commenting below. We also welcome general comments on the subject and any feedback you'd like to give.
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Last month's solutions
Click here to download the printable version
January 2026 – an example solution
The instructions below require your birthday numbers, where:
A = birthday MONTH (1 to 12)
B = birth DAY (1 to 31)
C = 1st two digits of your birthday YEAR
D = 2nd two digits of your birthday YEAR
STEP ONE: find your ‘magic’ number, by adding your four birthday numbers (A + B + C + D).
STEP TWO: Complete the 4×4 blank matrix below, using the instructions on the left.
STEP THREE: The ‘magical’ results can now be enjoyed. The sum of the four numbers in each of the rows, columns, two main diagonals and the four corners will all be equal to your magic number. Also, your magic number will equal the four number sum of each of the five internal 2×2 squares (located at the four corners and center of the main 4×4 square) as well as the four corner sum of each of the four internal 3×3 squares (located at the four corners of the main 4×4 square).
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Follow these instructions
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Example for someone born on
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Note: Depending on the numbers chosen, there could be acceptable negative values when filling in your matrix. Now, you own it. Aren’t the results interesting, mystical and magical?
You may like to continue and create additional 4×4 Magic Squares for other birthdays or just try any four numbers for A, B, C and D (for example 1/1/20/26, 12/25/20/25, 4/−3/2/−1, 5/5/5/5, etc.) and enjoy more magical results.
Magic squares are called “magic” because they combine a long cultural mystique with a simple, surprising arithmetic symmetry. Every row, column and main diagonal adds to the same fixed number, producing patterns and properties that feel unexpectedly ordered and elegant.
