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A ‘simple’ children’s brainteaser has gone viral as adults everywhere struggle to work out what in fact is the correct answer.

Perplexing in nature, the puzzle is based around a basic mathematical equation, similar to algebra.  Puzzlers are asked to decipher which number each fruit symbolises then work out the total.

Sounds simple enough?  Be warned!  Adults are stumped with what the ‘true’ answer is.  The puzzle is simple in appearance, but the apples, bananas and coconuts appear to be leaving adults completely flummoxed.

The origin of the puzzle is unclear and it has been circulating since December last year, recently resurfacing as Facebook users simply are still no closer to agreeing on the correct answer.

The first sum shows that three apples added together amounts to 30, suggesting that one apple is equal to the number 10.

On the second line, it states that one apple (10) plus two bunches of bananas equals 18, which seems to simply that each bunch of bananas is equal to 4.

The next line states that a bunch of bananas (equivalent to 4) minus a coconut equals 2- suggesting that a coconut is equivalent to the number 2.

On the final line, it asks you to guess the total of half a coconut (1), an apple (10) and a bunch of bananas (4).

Image source: Facebook
Image source: Facebook

A quick glance at the puzzle might suggest the answer is 15, however there is a range of possible answers that are being shared worldwide.

One site recently re-shared the image on Facebook and almost 400 people tried their hand at solving the riddle with their ‘fresh’ eyes.

One Facebook user stated that the correct answer should be 14, seeing as the bunch of bananas on the final line in fact symbolised 3, rather than 4.  The user in this regard is correct, for on closer inspection there are just 3 bananas in the final bunch, and 4 in the rest.  

Another Facebook user wrote: “16 – easy! 3 apples = 30; therefore apples are worth 10 Apple – 2 bananas = 18; the apple is worth 10, so the bananas are worth 4. Banana – coconut = 2; the banana is worth 4, so the coconut is worth 2. The last line? Coconut (2) +apple (10) +banana (4) =16″

Yet another user agreed that both banana bunches were equal, she said: “Ok. There are 4 bananas in each bunch. Even in the last one, just the 4th banana is much smaller. But regardless, it’s 4 points per bunch, not counting each banana separately.”

Frustratingly there is no definitive answer to the riddle, leaving puzzlers everywhere with no choice but to continue scratching their heads and arguing over who has the ‘right’ answer.

Image source: Getty Images and Facebook.

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  • For me 1/2 coconut plus apple plus half bunch bananas equal 1 + 10+ 2 = 13.

    Reply

  • I am not even going to read this – way too hard for my simple brain!


    • haha lol. try it out on your friends and see how they go :)

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  • I got 14!!

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  • the coconut is worth 2 for 2 halves so one half is 1adn apple 10 and banana 4 so I get 15!

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  • I’d rather solve a sudoku.

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  • Lke gt

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  • Very slight of hand on the puzzle designers part… I would have been stumped too.

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  • The difference in quantity is set to puzzle, but the basics of maths still apply.

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  • I originally thought 16 until I realised there was only 3 bananas in the last pic. Now I say 15

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  • I love doing puzzles. I got the number to be 14. 10 per apple, half a coconut = 1 plus there’s 3 bananas so that = 3 so 14.

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  • It’s 14.

    The apples are worth 10 points each.
    Each bunch of bananas has 4 individual bananas in it, making each individual banana worth 1 point.
    The two coconut halves are worth 2 points, which makes each individual half worth 1 point.

    Every apple is the same size, which means 10 points, there is only 1 coconut half, so 1 point, and only 3 bananas, so 3 points.

    1 + 10 + 3 = 14.

    :)


    • Oh right!! I hadn’t noticed that there are just 3 bananas in the last image!! 14! I go for 14 too! :-)

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  • What a Stupid thing to waste time on.

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  • I agree with the 14 answer.

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  • Interesting! Love things like this; making you think!

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  • At least it is making maths fun and talked about.

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  • I would say 4 1/2


    • Whoops I got that wrong. Should be 14. There is only 3 bananas on the bottom bunch

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  • My answer is 16 and that’s what l think is correct!

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  • Oh really there is no answer? I would go for 15 too.

    Reply

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