The Official "Disappearing Pencil" Appreciation Page

The Official "Disappearing Pencil" Appreciation Page

by Cliff Pickover, Reality Carnival

This puzzle is driving the world crazy. Show your teachers, your kids, your family.... Run and grab a physicist, mathematician, or theologian to give an answer. What could the explanation possibly be?

Look closely. There are 7 white pencils. Next, print this puzzle. Cut out pieces A and B along the bold lines. Swap piece B and piece A beneath the larger piece. Amazing! Oh Lord, one of the white pencils has disappeared.

Talk about missing mass in the universe! It's as if a white pencil has suddenly decided to take a leap into hyperspace, leaving the human race confounded for an eternity.

How does your ability to understand, solve, or appreciate this puzzle depend on your age, gender, occupation, emotional state, IQ, caffeine level, and culture?

If you like puzzles like these, see my puzzle-related books.

This puzzle was invented by Mel Stover. It appeared in the little-known book, Matthew Costello's "The Greatest Puzzles of All Time."

Amazing YouTube video of disappearing pencil!




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If you like stories like this, Reality Carnival has many more.

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