Are you ready to put your logic and deduction skills to the test? Here’s a fun yet challenging brain teaser that involves cracking a three-digit code based on several clues. This puzzle is designed to make you think, so roll up your sleeves and get ready to solve it! Let’s analyze each clue carefully and see if you can crack the code. Ready? Let’s dive in!

Understanding the Puzzle

To solve this puzzle, we need to figure out a secret three-digit code. Each clue reveals information about the digits and their positions, helping us narrow down the possible answers. Let’s break down each clue and try to find the solution.

Clues to Solve the Puzzle

1. Clue 1: 690 – Two Correct Digits, Wrong Place
   • Two of the digits are correct, but neither is in the right position.
2. Clue 2: 789 – One Correct Digit, Correct Place
   • One of these digits is correct and well placed.
3. Clue 3: 603 – One Correct Digit, Wrong Place
   • One of the digits is correct, but it’s in the wrong place.
4. Clue 4: 864 – One Correct Digit, Wrong Place
   • Again, one digit is correct but not in the right position.
5. Clue 5: 378 – No Correct Digits
   • None of these digits are correct. So, we can rule out 3, 7, and 8 entirely.

Now that we have the clues, let’s analyze them step-by-step to crack the code.

Step 1: Eliminate Digits Based on Clue 5

Let’s start with Clue 5, which tells us that 3, 7, and 8 are not part of the code. This is crucial because it allows us to eliminate these digits entirely from consideration.

After this elimination, the remaining potential digits are 0, 4, 6, and 9.

Step 2: Analyze Clue 2 (789 – One Correct and Well Placed)

From Clue 5, we know that 7 and 8 are not in the code, so the only possibility for Clue 2 is 9, which must be correctly placed. Since Clue 2 states that one digit is correct and in the right position, 9 is in the third position of the code.

At this point, we have our code structure taking shape:

• _ _ 9

Step 3: Re-evaluate Clue 1 (690 – Two Correct, Wrong Place)

Now that we know 9 is in the third position, we can revisit Clue 1. This clue involves the digits 6, 9, and 0, with two of them being correct but in the wrong places. We already know 9 is the last digit, so the two remaining correct digits here must be 6 and 0

• Since Clue 1 states that both are in the wrong positions, 6 and 0 must be in the code but not in the positions shown (first and second positions).

Step 4: Narrow Down Using Clue 3 (603 – One Correct, Wrong Place)

With the information so far, let’s focus on Clue 3. In this clue, we already know 3 is not in the code (from Clue 5), leaving 6 and 0. Since the clue indicates that only one digit is correct and in the wrong place, let’s analyze further:

• The 0 cannot be in the third position, as we already have 9 there.
• Since 6 cannot be in the first position (per Clue 1), 0 is in the first position.

Now, our code looks like this:

• 0 _ 9

Step 5: Solve for the Missing Digit Using Clue 4 (864 – One Correct, Wrong Place)

With our partial code structure 0 _ 9, let’s look at Clue 4. Since 8 is eliminated and 6 cannot be in the second position (from prior clues), the only possibility for this clue is 4.

This clue tells us one digit is correct but misplaced. So, 4 is correct and belongs in the second position.

Therefore, we arrive at the code:

• 0 4 9

Verification Against All Clues

To ensure 049 is correct, let’s check each clue to confirm:

1. Clue 1: 690 – Two Correct, Wrong Place
   • Digits 6 and 0 are correct, but both are misplaced.
2. Clue 2: 789 – One Correct, Correct Place
   • Digit 9 is correct and well placed in the third position.
3. Clue 3: 603 – One Correct, Wrong Place
   • Digit 0 is correct and misplaced here.
4. Clue 4: 864 – One Correct, Wrong Place
   • Digit 4 is correct and misplaced in this position.
5. Clue 5: 378 – No Correct Digits
   • Digits 3, 7, and 8 are not in the code.

All clues confirm that 049 is indeed the solution!

If you managed to solve this puzzle on your own, well done! Puzzles like these are excellent exercises for honing your logic and deduction skills. They force you to pay attention to details, analyze clues carefully, and think systematically. Each step brings you closer to the answer, challenging you to consider and eliminate options until you’re left with the correct solution.

Try sharing this puzzle with friends and see if they can solve it without peeking at the solution. It’s a great way to test and improve your problem-solving skills. And if you enjoyed this brain teaser, keep practicing with more puzzles to keep your mind sharp!

Happy puzzling!