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Puzzles

One activity that many of our members enjoy is puzzling! You can test yourself for fun with our brainteasers. Our quizzes and conundrums are updated regularly, so do check back on the page for the latest content, and if you get really good at them, why not find out what your IQ is by booking a Mensa Supervised IQ Test?

7/5/25 – Pet Shop

A pet shop sells only rabbits, hamsters, goldfish and budgerigars.

If the following statements are true, how many of each animal are currently in stock?

THE NUMBER OF TAILS = 5 x THE NUMBER OF RABBITS

THE NUMBER OF LEGS = 16 x THE NUMBER OF BUDGIES

THE NUMBER OF WINGS = THE NUMBER OF HAMSTERS

THE NUMBER OF HEADS = 30

Puzzle courtesy of Mensa member Peter Hooton

  • Show Answer

Hamsters = 8, Rabbits = 6, Goldfish = 12, Budgerigars = 4

Consider the equations

Tails: H + R + G + B = 5R

Heads: H + R + G + B = 30

Legs: 4H + 4R + 2B = 16B

4H + 4R = 14B

Wings:  2B = H

From Heads and Tails equations, 5R = 30, so R = 6

From Legs and Wings equations, 4R = 3H so H = 8

From Wings, B = 4

From Heads, G = 30 – (6 + 8 + 4) = 12

Puzzles for business use

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Find out more by contacting our marketing team, via: communications@mensa.org.uk