January | 2023 | justpuzzles

In 1967 the Russian scientist M.M. Bongard published a book containing 100 problems. Each problem consists of 12 small boxes: six boxes on the left and six on the right. Each of the six boxes on the left conforms to a certain rule. Each box on the right contradicts this rule. Your task, of course, is to figure out the rule.

A Bongard problem consists of two groups of 6 images. Each and every of the six images on the left complies wit a certain rule. Each of the 6 images on the right does NOT comply with this rule. What is the rule?

THe title of this post already says this is a math puzzle, but you’ll first have to discover which branch of math, and than you will have to think about the one symbol which doesnt seem to fit into that branch.

Whats this?^****/*****

New puzzles are published at least once a month on Fridays. Solutions are published after one or more weeks. You are welcome to remark on the difficulty level of the puzzles, discuss alternate solutions, and so on. Puzzles are rated on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. You can check your solution here.

Of course I wish all my readers a happy 2023!

1) 2023^**/*****
Find two numbers a and b such that a^2 – b^2 = 2023.

2) 2023^**/*****
Show that there is just one pair.

3) Difference^*/*****
How much is 2023² – 2022²?
This puzzle is an adaption of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOIw0VZX1lc

Christmas was somehow more busy than I expected, so I apologize for not posting these puzzles earlier. However, here are some more 2023 brainteasers:
1) https://mathequalslove.net/2023-puzzle/^*/*****
Sarah Carter made a puzzle by writing out the year with digital digits and cutting it up.

2) https://paulmotwani.com/2023/01/02/blog-post-145-happy-new-year-brainteasers-%F0%9F%98%8A%E2%99%A5%F0%9F%98%8A/^**/*****
Paul A. Motwani brings a nice puzzle about a product and sum, which differ 2023.

New puzzles are published at least once a month on Fridays, usually the 1rst and / or third Friday of the month. You are welcome to remark on the difficulty level of the puzzles, discuss alternate solutions, and so on. Puzzles are rated on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. You can check your solution here.