Here’s a brain teaser that looks innocent but catches many people off guard. At first glance, it’s just a couple of math equations. Easy, right? But once you try to solve it all the way through, you might find yourself second-guessing your answer.
Here’s the challenge:
M + N = 5
M – N = 1
M to the power of N = ?
Your goal is to find the correct value of M raised to the power of N. Think you’ve got it? Take a moment to work it out before scrolling further.
Why This Puzzle Trips People Up
This riddle plays a clever trick on the brain. It starts with two simple equations, which most people know how to solve. But the real catch is in the third part—raising M to the power of N. Many people focus so hard on solving for M and N that they either forget to complete the final step or miscalculate it.
Some common mistakes include:
- Misreading the exponential notation and thinking it’s multiplication
- Plugging in the wrong values after solving the first part
- Skipping the final step completely because it looks too easy
This puzzle isn’t about complex calculations—it’s about careful, accurate thinking. Let’s walk through it step by step.
Step-by-Step Guide to Solving the Puzzle
Start with the two equations:
First, add the equations together to eliminate N.
If M + N equals 5, and M – N equals 1, then adding both sides gives you 2M = 6.
Divide both sides by 2, and you get M = 3.
Now substitute M = 3 back into the first equation.
That gives you 3 + N = 5, which means N = 2.
Now comes the final step. You’ve found that M is 3 and N is 2. The last part of the puzzle is to calculate M to the power of N—that’s 3 raised to the power of 2. And that equals 9.
So the correct answer is 9.
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Did You Get It Right?
If you arrived at the correct answer, well done! This kind of puzzle is easy to underestimate but incredibly satisfying to solve. It shows that a sharp mind doesn’t need complex tools—just patience and precision.
If you missed it, no worries. That’s the fun of puzzles like these. You learn something new each time you try, and each attempt helps sharpen your thinking.
What Makes This Riddle So Addictive?
Puzzles like this work because they make your brain do two things at once: process simple math and stay focused under pressure. The layout is so straightforward that most people assume there’s a twist when there isn’t. That second-guessing leads to overthinking, and that’s where mistakes sneak in.
It also encourages good habits: double-checking your work, breaking things down step by step, and taking time to really understand the problem.
Join the Conversation
So now it’s your turn. How many tries did it take you to get the right answer? Did you solve it quickly, or did you have to go back and figure out where you went wrong?
Comment below and let us know your experience. And don’t forget to share this puzzle with a friend or coworker—see who gets it right first!
Video : Brilliant Math Puzzles For Clever Minds || Maths Puzzle
Keep Challenging Your Brain
Solving puzzles like this isn’t just a fun distraction. It actually improves your critical thinking, boosts concentration, and strengthens your ability to solve problems under pressure.
If you enjoyed this challenge, keep the momentum going. Look for more puzzles, number games, and riddles. The more you train your brain, the sharper and faster it gets.
And remember, sometimes the hardest part of solving a problem isn’t the math—it’s just seeing it clearly.
