The Problem of the Two Doors: A Riddle

One of my 5th-grade GT students shared this challenging riddle with me years ago, and we then shared it with the class. It led to a very interesting discussion! If you’d like to try it out with students, here are some resources you can use.

The video below (1) clearly presents the riddle, (2) prompts you to pause at various points so that you can think, and (3) explains the answer using the same problem-solving method I used when I explained it to my GT 5th graders. It does, however, end with a different answer than the one my student had been given!

HERE is a written form of the riddle, slightly different than the one in the video! It also has a diagram students can use. I will say, though, even with the diagram and hints, none of my students could solve the riddle. Sharing the solution was a lot of fun though, and the class loved it and wanted a copy to take home to their parents.

If you are in need of additional riddles, here are two links. Please feel free to send others that you like enjoy sharing with your students.

TED Ed Riddles

Bright Side Riddles


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