Best of Bonk Handouts

Creativity Tests: Insight Problems

Insight Problems
An insight problem is a problem that requires the problem solver to shift his or her perceptive and view the problem in a novel way in order to achieve the solution.  There are several types of insight problems.  The three main types are verbal, mathematical, and spatial (Dow & Mayer 2003).  Below are examples
Verbal Example

Marsha and Marjorie were born on the same day of the same month of the same year to the same mother and the same father yet they are not twins. How is that possible?

Highlight for solution :

 [they are triplets ]

Mathematical Example
There are ten bags, each containing ten weights, all of which look identical.   In nine of the bags each weight is 16 ounces, but in one of the bags the weights re actually 17 ounces each.  How is it possible, in a single weighing on an accurate weighing scale, to determine which bag contains the 17-ounce weights?
 

Highlight for solution :

 [Take 1 from the 1st bag, 2 from the 2nd, 3 from the 3rd etc.   Then weigh all those coins. If all the bags weigh 16 ounces you will have 55 ounces (10+9+8+7+6+5+4+3+2+1).  Any amount in excess of the 55 ounces will determine which bag contains the 17 ounces two ounces over = bag 2,if it is 7 ounces over = bag 7 etc).]

Spatial Example (roll mouse over for solution)
Draw four continuous straight lines, connecting all the dots without lifting your pencil from the paper.