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☆☆☆☆☆Question:
You are asked the following tricky question, "A farmer had 19 sheep. All but 9 died. How many sheep did the farmer have left?" To answer this question, you must
a. utilize a mental set.
b. define the problem narrowly.
c. actively challenge your assumptions.
d. look for analogies within the problem.
Our brains may use heuristics when we thinking through a problem that is presented through calculating and looking for a solution. Someone may mentally arriving at an answer by looking backwards from the end goal to determine what steps to take.
Answer and Explanation:The correct answer is c. actively challenge your assumptions. The brain may automatically try to subtract 9 sheep from the whole herd by looking at this question, i.e. 19 - 9 = 10). Instead of relying on an inefficient mental set, the person must challenge their thinking and calculating to understand that the answer is listed in the question of how many sheep the farmer possesses, i.e. all but 9 died. The farmer had 9 sheep since they did not die like the others.
