A tricky problem

Contents 1 Puzzle 2 Hint 3 Answer 4 References

Puzzle

Ask your friends if they can write down five odd figures to add up and make fourteen. It is really astonishing how engrossed most people will get, and how much time they will spend over this, at first sight, simple problem.

Hint

Hints Hint 1 The questioner, however, must be careful to say figures, not numbers.

Answer

Show answer

References

• Loyd, Sam [1914]. in Loyd, Sam, Jr.: Sam Loyd's Cyclopedia of 5000 Puzzles Tricks and Conundrums (in English). New York: Lamb Publishing company, page 38.