Sometimes, we hear questions that appear simple, and we may quickly respond without much thought. However, there are moments when it’s wise to pause and consider the answer carefully.
Take, for example, a seemingly straightforward question many have come across: “You have 5 cows, 2 dogs, and 1 cat. How many legs do you have?”
At first glance, this question looks easy to answer. But if you dig a bit deeper, you’ll find that it’s more complex than it seems.
Take a moment to think about it. You only get one chance to answer correctly, or you’ll join the majority who get it wrong.
Most people would initially consider the total number of legs for all the mentioned animals. But that’s a cleverly designed trap.
Let’s break it down:
Cows: Each cow has four legs. With 5 cows, you get 5×4=20 legs.
Dogs: Each dog has four legs too. With 2 dogs, that’s 2×4=8 legs.
Cats: One cat has four legs, so 1×4=4 legs.
Adding these together, you might think the total is 32 legs.
But that’s incorrect.
So, what’s the right answer? Here’s the reveal:
The correct answer is two legs. Yes, two legs, because as a human, you have two legs (assuming you haven’t lost any!). The question is about your legs, not the animals’!
Did you figure it out on your own?