A tricky brainteaser has left people scratching their heads as they try to work out which cup will get full first – but only 1% of people will be able to get it right
If you reckon you’re a logical thinker, this seriously tough brainteaser is just the ticket.
Only 1% of people can figure out which cup will fill up first, making this tricky puzzle perfect for those who see the glass as half full.
Shared by Daily Quiz and Riddles on X (formerly known as Twitter), it features an image of seven cups with the caption ‘Which cup gets filled first’ and challenges you to solve it. While it might seem straightforward, there are some complex water dynamics at play that make it more challenging than it first appears.
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You’ll spot that the first cup under the tap has two pipes leading into the other cups, so why not put your skills to the test and see if you’re among the 1% who can crack it? Keep an eye out for blocked pipes and cups with holes in them.
At first glance, you might think Cup 4 is the one to fill up first since it’s right at the bottom. But upon closer inspection, you’ll notice the pipe connecting Cup 3 and Cup 4 is sealed, meaning no water can flow through.
Similarly, Cups 5 and 6 have obstructions in the pipes leading to them, ruling them out as the first to fill as water can’t reach them. If you take a closer look at Cup 7, you’ll find a hole at the bottom, meaning any water trickling down from Cup 2 will simply leak out.
In reality, the only cup that would be filled is Cup 3. Linked to Cup 1 via a pipe lower than Cup 2, it’s the sole vessel that can feasibly contain and fill with water. Particularly as Cup 2 is not only accessed via a pipe further up Cup 1 but it’s also connected to leaky Cup 7 – meaning it will never be full.
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If you didn’t crack this immediately, hopefully it doesn’t leave you feeling down in the dumps. Regular brainteasers can get you accustomed to these kinds of tricks, meaning you view the world around you differently than before.
Folks shared their solutions to the puzzle on X, commenting on its complexity. “That’s tricky”, one person remarked. Another individual grumbled, “This is cheating, 4 is plugged.”
Keeping your brain active with puzzles is a brilliant way to ensure that you maintain your problem-solving skills. Whether it’s a crossword, sudoku, video game or a brainteaser, there are loads of fantastic ways to keep your memory and cognitive skills sharp – let’s play!
