Riddles, one at a time
How Many Routes: One Cone
Moving only right or up, how many different routes lead from start to the gem?
Give the cone corner 0, then add the counts from the left and below.
8
There are 20 routes in all, and 12 of them pass the cone: 20 − 12 = 8.
Three Turning Rings
At which step number are all three gems at the top again?
36 STEPS
Notches 9, 6 and 4: the first common multiple is 36.
Hands Apart: 6:30
What is the SMALLER angle between the hands?
The hour hand is not on the 6 at 6:30.
15°
At 6:30 the hour hand is halfway from 6 to 7: 15° from the minute hand.
Turn the Crank
The big gear turns clockwise. Which lantern goes UP?
LANTERN C
Each mesh and the crossed belt flip the spin.
Word Ladder: Grain to Trait
TRAIN
BRAIN to TRAIN changes B to T; TRAIN to TRAIL changes N to L.
Flatbread Pan
A pan holds 2 flatbreads. Each side needs 1 minute. How few minutes can it take to cook 3 flatbreads on both sides?
Do not wait for one flatbread to finish before starting the third.
3 minutes
Minute 1: A and B. Minute 2: A's other side and C. Minute 3: the other sides of B and C.