A seemingly simple 3×3 grid hides a fun arithmetic challenge: each row and column total is given, but one column sum is mysteriously blank. Can you deduce how much the blue, yellow, and green balls weigh together? You’ll need to recognize repeated values (three reds add up to 12), substitute back to find each color’s weight, and then add the three different balls for the missing total. It’s a neat test of basic algebra and pattern spotting—perfect for a quick brain workout. Ready to see if you can claim the answer before anyone else?
Who’ll Work It Out First?
Here’s a 3×3 grid of colored balls with row and column totals given. Your mission: “How much do the blue, yellow, and green balls weigh together?” Can you deduce each color’s weight and find the missing middle–bottom column sum? Take a moment to study the numbers and colored positions before diving into the solution.
Video
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Common Mistakes
Assuming All Weights Are Different:
- Many jump to the conclusion that every color must be unique, overlooking that one color may repeat the same value.
Mixing Up Rows and Columns:
- It’s easy to solve rows first and then forget to apply those values correctly to columns.
Ignoring Repeated Colors:
- When a color appears twice in the same row or column, beginners sometimes add two different values instead of doubling the same number.
Step-by-Step Solution
Top Row (Total 14):
- Red + Blue + Green = 14
Left Column (Total 12):
- Red + Red + Red = 12 ⇒ Red = 4
Bottom Row (Total 18):
- Red + Green + Green = 18 ⇒ 4 + 2·Green = 18 ⇒ Green = 7
Middle Row (Total 9):
- Red + Yellow = 9 ⇒ 4 + Yellow = 9 ⇒ Yellow = 5
Middle Column Sum:
- Blue + Yellow + Green = 3 + 5 + 7 = 15
Share Your Answer
Did you get 15 for the blue-yellow-green column? Let us know in the comments how quickly you solved it! If you enjoyed this logic workout, explore more puzzles on our site to keep your mind sharp and your reasoning razor-focused.
