Puzzles and riddles are a great way to challenge our minds, and this simple yet tricky math puzzle is no exception. At first glance, it seems like a basic division problem, but many people get confused when trying to solve it. Let’s break it down logically and see if you can figure it out before we reveal the correct answer.
The Puzzle: A Fishermen’s Dilemma

The question is straightforward:
➡ 6 fishermen ate 6 trouts in 6 days. In how many days will 10 fishermen eat 10 trouts?
Sounds easy, right? But don’t be too quick to answer! Many people make simple errors when approaching this kind of logical puzzle.
Common Mistakes People Make
Before diving into the correct solution, let’s discuss some common mistakes people make when solving this problem:
- Thinking the answer is directly proportional – Some assume that if the number of fishermen increases, the number of days must decrease. This is a logical mistake in this scenario.
- Overcomplicating the equation – Some people try to use complex formulas instead of understanding the basic relationship between the numbers.
- Ignoring the role of individual consumption rates – The key is recognizing how much each fisherman eats over a given time.
Now, let’s work through the solution step by step.
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Step-By-Step Solution
To solve this puzzle correctly, let’s break it down logically.
- Understanding the first scenario:
- 6 fishermen eat 6 trouts in 6 days.
- That means each fisherman eats 1 trout in 6 days.
- Applying the same logic to 10 fishermen:
- If each fisherman eats 1 trout in 6 days, then 10 fishermen will also take 6 days to eat 10 trouts.
Thus, the correct answer is 6 days.
Why Is the Answer 6 Days?
This puzzle tricks many people because they assume increasing the number of fishermen must decrease the time needed to finish the fish. However, in reality, the time remains the same because each fisherman eats at the same rate.
Here’s a clearer way to think about it:
If one fisherman takes 6 days to eat one trout, then it doesn’t matter how many fishermen there are—as long as the number of trouts increases at the same rate as the number of fishermen, the duration stays the same.
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Encouraging Logical Thinking
This puzzle is a great example of how a simple math problem can become tricky when we don’t carefully analyze the details. It’s a fun way to test logical reasoning and mathematical thinking.
Did you get the right answer? Let us know your thought process in the comments! If you enjoyed this puzzle, try solving more logical riddles to sharpen your problem-solving skills.