Brain Teasers
Tie the Knot
Two thin ropes hang from the high ceiling of an empty room, just
far enough apart from each other that you cannot grab both at the
same time. How can you tie a knot with both ends using only a pair of scissors?
far enough apart from each other that you cannot grab both at the
same time. How can you tie a knot with both ends using only a pair of scissors?
Hint
The scissors do not need to be sharp to solve this.Answer
Tie the scissors to one of the ropes and swing it. Then grab the other rope and grab the scissors as they come towards you. Tie the knot.Hide Hint Show Hint Hide Answer Show Answer
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Comments
Kids, don't try this at home...but it might come in handy somehow. Good One.
I was actually in this very situation...j/k!!! I got it but it was still a good one! I liked it!
i said cut the ropes down and tie the knot... lol... but whatever maybe ill get the next one.. great teaser
I thought you could cut of the ropes ends then tie them together.
why can't you just grab one walk to the other and tie the knot? I must be missing something.
i also just though u could cut the ropes and then tie them together
I was thinking to cut the ropes and tie those. Oh well! Maybe next time!
I agree with maingle... Maybe a bit more explanation in the answer?
Does tying the scissors extend the rope to be long enough to hold both?
You know, thinking about it, if that's the case, the swinging of the rope is unnecessary. Just tie the scissors on using as little rope as possible, then walk on over.
Does tying the scissors extend the rope to be long enough to hold both?
You know, thinking about it, if that's the case, the swinging of the rope is unnecessary. Just tie the scissors on using as little rope as possible, then walk on over.
I agree...I'm not thinking that this situation is possible.
i was on the right track with this one but didn't quite get there.
i think the solution was meant in this way (corrections welcome):
the strings are hanging straight down.. even if you grab one and walk over, the other is still too far away to reach without IT being extnended in your direction aswell. therefor you tie the scissors to string A to give it weight and momentum. set it swinging. then grab hold of string B, and walk towards string A (which when swinging towards you is in reach). Tie the two together and voila!
the strings are hanging straight down.. even if you grab one and walk over, the other is still too far away to reach without IT being extnended in your direction aswell. therefor you tie the scissors to string A to give it weight and momentum. set it swinging. then grab hold of string B, and walk towards string A (which when swinging towards you is in reach). Tie the two together and voila!
if you can not walk the two ropes together, they have to be above you. if they are to high to reach them both when they hang straight down, they will be even higher when you intent to tie them in the center. therefore unless you grow during the attempt it is impossible to accomplish.
if you think i am wrong, please walk me through the solution
if you think i am wrong, please walk me through the solution
I think LaMov is right. The two ropes are far apart. So when you grab one you can't get to the other, because it isn't long enough to make it the other rope. So when you tie the scissors and get one rope swinging, it brings it close enough to the other rope so you can reach both.
maybe my definition of rope is incorrect, but you don't have to tie a scissor to the end of a rope to make it swing.
You have a point, but the teaser did say two "thin" ropes. So try getting a long peice of thread to swing across a room, just a thought. Anyway the scissors would help it swing better and longer, and he asked how to tie them using scissors.
ahhh no not happening
LaMoV is correct I have heard a riddle like this before. But using scissors as your wieght in the question is stupid without saying your not allowed to cut the ropes because you can just cut one rope and then tie the ends. Good idea but very poorly explained.
Clever.
I agree with what some people are saying, on both counts:
#1: The way it is explained, it sounds as though the ends of the two ropes are just out of your reach when you are standing at their midpoint. In this case, it can be done without the scissors, by holding the end of one rope and walking closer to the other rope.
The ropes should be just far enough that you can't reach the other, even WHEN holding one and walking to the other.
In fact, even then, if it is just BARELY out of reach, you could swing the rope without the scissors, and its own weight would carry it a little farther than its starting position.
#2: The scissors could be used to cut one rope down, especially since you specify that they are thin ropes. Yes, you negate that possibility with the hint, but that should be done in the body of the teaser, not the hint. Necessary information should not be put in the hint.
#1: The way it is explained, it sounds as though the ends of the two ropes are just out of your reach when you are standing at their midpoint. In this case, it can be done without the scissors, by holding the end of one rope and walking closer to the other rope.
The ropes should be just far enough that you can't reach the other, even WHEN holding one and walking to the other.
In fact, even then, if it is just BARELY out of reach, you could swing the rope without the scissors, and its own weight would carry it a little farther than its starting position.
#2: The scissors could be used to cut one rope down, especially since you specify that they are thin ropes. Yes, you negate that possibility with the hint, but that should be done in the body of the teaser, not the hint. Necessary information should not be put in the hint.
Saw this on brain games
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