Puzzles: A Fun and Beneficial Hobby for Everyone
Puzzles are one of the most popular and enduring forms of entertainment. Whether you prefer jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, logic puzzles, or any other kind of puzzle, you probably enjoy the challenge of finding the solution and the satisfaction of completing it. But did you know that puzzles are also good for your brain and well-being? In this article, we will explore the history, types, and benefits of puzzles, as well as some tips on how to solve them like an expert. We will also share some resources and recommendations on where to find and enjoy puzzles.
What are puzzles and why do we love them?
A puzzle is a game, problem, or toy that tests a person's ingenuity or knowledge. In a puzzle, the solver is expected to put pieces together (or take them apart) in a logical way, in order to arrive at the correct or fun solution of the puzzle. There are different genres of puzzles, such as crossword puzzles, word-search puzzles, number puzzles, relational puzzles, and logic puzzles.
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The academic study of puzzles is called enigmatology. Puzzles are often created to be a form of entertainment but they can also arise from serious mathematical or logical problems. In such cases, their solution may be a significant contribution to mathematical research.
The history of puzzles
But puzzles in varying shapes and forms, while not always called puzzles, have shown up throughout history. Among the earliest documented references to puzzles is one in the Rhind papyrus, compiled by a scribe called Ahmes about 1650 bce. (Its name is derived from the Scottish antiquarian Alexander Henry Rhind, who purchased it in 1858.) The papyrus contains 84 mathematical problems, divided into arithmetic, geometry, and miscellaneous, and it was at its heart a mathematics textbook written in a manner encouraging readers to develop the necessary techniques themselves.
According to legend, the ancient city of Thebes in Greece was the home of a sphinx, a creature with the head of a woman and the body of a lion who killed people wishing to enter Thebes. But, to give her victims a chance, she would first pose them a riddle. If they failed to answer it, they were killed. Nobody solved the riddle until Oedipus came along and answered What goes in the morning upon four feet, in the afternoon upon two feet, and in the evening on three feet? with the correct response: humankind.
The first commercial jigsaw puzzles were developed around 1760 by British cartographer and engraver John Spilsbury. He fastened a European map onto hardwood and used a marquetry saw to cut along the national borders of the countries. The puzzles originated as educational devices to teach geography (dissected maps) in 18th-century England. Dissected pictures followed, covering such subjects as history, alphabets, botany, and zoology. The use of popular pictures began in the 1860s and 70s, in both Great Britain and the United States.
In modern times, jigsaw puzzles were invented by John Spilsbury in 1767, crossword puzzles by Arthur Wynne in 1913, Sudoku puzzles by Howard Garns in 1979, and Rubik's Cube by Erno Rubik in 1974. Puzzles have become a popular form of entertainment and education, with millions of people around the world enjoying them every day.
The types of puzzles
There are many different types of puzzles, each with its own rules, goals, and challenges. Some of the most common types are:
Jigsaw puzzles: These are puzzles that require the assembly of often oddly shaped interlocking and tessellating pieces. Each piece usually has a small part of a picture on it; when complete, a jigsaw puzzle produces a complete picture.
Crossword puzzles: These are word puzzles that usually take the form of a square or a rectangular grid of white- and black-shaded squares. The game's goal is to fill the white squares with letters, forming words or phrases, by solving clues, which lead to the answers.
Sudoku puzzles: These are logic-based, combinatorial number-placement puzzles. The objective is to fill a 99 grid with digits so that each column, each row, and each of the nine 33 subgrids that compose the grid contain all of the digits from 1 to 9.
Rubik's Cube: This is a 3-D combination puzzle invented in 1974 by Hungarian sculptor and professor of architecture Ernő Rubik. The classic Rubik's Cube has six faces covered by nine stickers each, among six solid colours: white, red, blue, orange, green, and yellow. A pivot mechanism enables each face to turn independently, thus mixing up the colours. For the puzzle to be solved, each face must be returned to have only one colour.
Logic puzzles: These are puzzles that require the use of deductive reasoning to solve. They often involve some form of grid or table that contains clues or hints about the solution. Some examples of logic puzzles are Einstein's riddle, Knights and Knaves, and Sudoku.
The benefits of puzzles for your brain and well-being
Puzzles are not only fun but also beneficial for your brain and well-being. Some of the benefits are:
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They improve your memory: Solving puzzles helps you enhance your short-term memory, as you have to remember shapes, colours, patterns, and positions. This can also improve your long-term memory, as you can recall previous solutions or strategies.
They boost your cognitive skills: Puzzles challenge your brain to process information, analyze patterns, make connections, and apply logic. This can improve your mental speed, attention span, concentration, and problem-solving skills.
They reduce stress: Puzzles can help you relax and unwind from the daily pressures and worries. They can also induce a state of flow, which is a state of optimal focus and enjoyment that makes you lose track of time and self-consciousness.
They enhance your mood: Puzzles can make you feel happy and accomplished, as you experience a sense of achievement and satisfaction when you complete them. They can also release dopamine, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, motivation, and reward.
They prevent cognitive decline: Puzzles can help you prevent or delay the onset of dementia and Alzheimer's disease, as they stimulate your brain cells and keep them active. They can also increase your brain's neuroplasticity, which is the ability to adapt and form new connections.
How to solve puzzles like an expert: 6 tips
If you want to improve your puzzle-solving skills and have more fun with puzzles, here are some tips that can help you:
Choose a puzzle that suits your skill level and interest
The first step is to pick a puzzle that matches your skill level and interest. If you choose a puzzle that is too easy or too hard for you, you may get bored or frustrated. If you choose a puzzle that is not appealing to you, you may lose motivation. Therefore, it is important to find a puzzle that challenges you but also entertains you.
Have a plan and a workspace
The next step is to have a plan and a workspace for your puzzle. Depending on the type of puzzle, you may need different tools and strategies to solve it. For example, for a jigsaw puzzle, you may need a large flat surface, a box lid, a magnifying glass, and a puzzle mat. For a crossword puzzle, you may need a pencil, an eraser, a dictionary, and a crossword solver. For a Sudoku puzzle, you may need a pen, a paper, and a Sudoku solver. Having these tools and strategies ready can help you save time and avoid mistakes.
Flip all pieces upwards and sort them by color, shape, or pattern
If you are solving a jigsaw puzzle, a good tip is to flip all the pieces upwards and sort them by color, shape, or pattern. This can help you organize the pieces and find the ones that match. You can also use the box lid or a tray to separate the pieces into different categories.
Start with the edges and corners
Another tip for jigsaw puzzles is to start with the edges and corners. These are the easiest pieces to find and place, as they have straight sides and distinctive shapes. They also form the frame of the puzzle, which can help you visualize the whole picture and fill in the gaps.
Use the picture on the box as a guide
A useful tip for any kind of puzzle is to use the picture on the box as a guide. The picture can give you clues about the colors, shapes, patterns, and positions of the pieces or the words. It can also help you check your progress and spot any errors.
Try different strategies and have fun
The final tip is to try different strategies and have fun with your puzzle. There is no one right way to solve a puzzle, so you can experiment with different methods and see what works best for you. You can also challenge yourself by setting a timer, doing the puzzle upside down, or using only one hand. The most important thing is to enjoy the process and celebrate your achievements.
How to find and enjoy puzzles: resources and recommendations
If you are looking for more puzzles to solve and enjoy, here are some resources and recommendations that can help you:
Where to get puzzles: online, in stores, or in books
There are many ways to get puzzles, depending on your preference and budget. Some of the options are:
Online: You can find many websites that offer free or paid puzzles of various types and levels. Some examples are Jigsaw Planet, The New York Times Crossword, Web Sudoku, Rubik's Cube Solver, and Logic Puzzles. You can also download apps or games that feature puzzles on your smartphone or tablet.
In stores: You can buy physical puzzles in toy stores, bookstores, hobby shops, or online retailers. You can choose from a wide range of sizes, shapes, themes, and difficulties. Some popular brands are Ravensburger, White Mountain, Springbok, Hasbro, and Mattel. You can also customize your own puzzles with your photos or designs.
In books: You can find books that contain puzzles of various types and levels in libraries or bookstores. You can also order them online or subscribe to magazines that feature puzzles. Some examples are The Ultimate Puzzle Book, The New York Times Best of Crosswords, The Big Book of Sudoku, The Cube: The Ultimate Guide to the World's Bestselling Puzzle, and The Art of Logic Puzzles.
Where to play puzzles: solo, with friends, or in competitions
There are many ways to play puzzles, depending on your mood and goal. Some of the options are:
Solo: You can play puzzles by yourself as a way to relax, have fun, or challenge yourself. You can set your own pace and difficulty level. You can also track your progress and improvement over time.
With friends: You can play puzzles with your friends as a way to bond, socialize, or cooperate. You can share tips, hints, or solutions. You can also compete against each other or work together as a team.
In competitions: You can play puzzles in competitions as a way to test your skills, meet other puzzlers, or win prizes. You can join local or national contests that feature puzzles of various types and levels. Some examples are The World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship, The American Crossword Championship, The World Sudoku Championship, The Rubik's Cube World Championship, and The World Puzzle Championship.
Where to learn more about puzzles: websites, blogs, and podcasts
If you want to learn more about puzzles, their history, their creators, their solvers, and their secrets, here are some websites, blogs, and podcasts that can help you:
Websites: You can find many websites that provide information, news, reviews, and trivia about puzzles. Some examples are Puzzle Museum, Puzzle Place, Puzzle Master, Puzzle World, and Puzzle Nation.
Blogs: You can follow many blogs that share stories, insights, tips, and opinions about puzzles. Some examples are Jigsaw Junkies, Diary of a Crossword Fiend, Sudoku Blog, Speedsolving.com, and Puzzling.org.
Podcasts: You can listen to many podcasts that discuss topics, interviews, challenges, and recommendations about puzzles. Some examples are Puzzle Warriors 3, Fill Me In: The Podcast About Crosswords and Other Puzzles, Sudoku Podblast, The Corner Cutter Podcast: A Speedcubing Show, and The Art of Puzzles.
Conclusion: Puzzles are a great way to challenge yourself and have fun
Puzzles are a fun and beneficial hobby for everyone. They can improve your memory, cognitive skills, mood, and well-being. They can also reduce your stress and prevent cognitive decline. Puzzles have a long and rich history and come in many types and genres. You can solve puzzles like an expert by following some tips and strategies. You can also find and enjoy puzzles in various ways and places. Puzzles are a great way to challenge yourself and have fun.
Summary of the main points
In this article, we have covered the following points:
Puzzles are games or problems that test your ingenuity or knowledge.
Puzzles have a history that dates back to ancient times and civilizations.
Puzzles come in different types, such as jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, Sudoku puzzles, Rubik's Cube, and logic puzzles.
Puzzles have many benefits for your brain and well-being, such as improving your memory, cognitive skills, mood, and well-being.
You can solve puzzles like an expert by choosing a puzzle that suits your skill level and interest, having a plan and a workspace, flipping all pieces upwards and sorting them by color, shape or pattern (for jigsaw puzzles), starting with the edges and corners (for jigsaw puzzles), using the picture on the box as a guide (for any kind of puzzle), trying different strategies and having fun.
You can find and enjoy puzzles online, in stores or in books. You can also play puzzles solo, with friends or in competitions. You can also learn more about puzzles from websites, blogs or podcasts.
Call to action: try a puzzle today and share your experience
Now that you know more about puzzles and how to solve them like an expert, why not try one today? You can choose from any of the types or genres we mentioned, or you can explore new ones. You can also share your experience with us or with your friends. We would love to hear from you!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about puzzles:
What is the hardest puzzle in the world?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as different puzzles may have different levels of difficulty for different people. However, some of the candidates for the hardest puzzle in the world are: the Eternity puzzle (a geometric puzzle with 209 pieces that form a dodecagon), the 17x17x17 Rubik's Cube (a 3-D combination puzzle with 6.69 quinquagintatrecentillion possible permutations), the Beale ciphers (a set of three encrypted messages that supposedly reveal the location of a buried treasure), and the Voynich manuscript (a mysterious book written in an unknown language or code).
What is the largest puzzle in the world?
The largest puzzle in the world is the Memorable Disney Moments jigsaw puzzle by Ravensburger. It has 40,320 pieces that form a collage of scenes from classic Disney movies. It measures 22 feet by 6 feet when completed.
What is the oldest puzzle in the world?
The oldest puzzle in the world is probably the Ostomachion, also known as the Stomachion or the Loculus of Archimedes. It is a dissection puzzle that consists of 14 pieces that form a square. It is attributed to the ancient Greek mathematician Archimedes, who lived in the 3rd century BCE. The puzzle has many possible solutions, some of which form geometric shapes or figures.
What is the most popular puzzle in the world?
The most popular puzzle in the world is probably the Rubik's Cube, a 3-D combination puzzle that was invented in 1974 by Hungarian sculptor and professor of architecture Ernő Rubik. It has sold over 350 million units worldwide and has inspired many variations and competitions. The Rubik's Cube has six faces covered by nine stickers each, among six solid colours: white, red, blue, orange, green, and yellow. The goal is to restore the cube to its original state, where each face has only one colour.
What are some benefits of puzzles for children?
Puzzles are beneficial for children of all ages, as they can help them develop various skills and abilities, such as:
Fine motor skills: Puzzles can help children improve their hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and manipulation skills, as they have to move and fit the pieces together.
Cognitive skills: Puzzles can help children enhance their memory, reasoning, logic, spatial awareness, and problem-solving skills, as they have to remember, analyze, and apply information.
Language skills: Puzzles can help children expand their vocabulary, comprehension, and communication skills, as they can learn new words, concepts, and expressions related to the puzzles.
Social skills: Puzzles can help children develop their cooperation, collaboration, and sharing skills, as they can play puzzles with their peers or family members.
Emotional skills: Puzzles can help children boost their self-esteem, confidence, and perseverance skills, as they can overcome challenges and achieve goals.
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