Solution:

Whenever you are offered such a problem, it is wiser to think in a linear way first. We know that 3 +1 will be four which is half of the number on the right hand side.
So the equation is now
(3+1) 3 6 = 8

Now look at the other two digits 3 and 6. 3 is half of 6. Let us put a division sign in between and you will get 1/2 as the answer.
The equation is now
(3+1) (3/6) = 8 ==> 4 1/2 = 8

Let us put a division sign in between and that will solve the problem.

(3+1) / (3/6) = 8

Solve the equation and you will get 8 = 8.

Solution:

10,15,9,20,12

Explanation:
The score obtained on the first throw is 10.
The score obtained on the second throw is 15.
The score obtained on the third throw is 9.
The score obtained on the fourth throw is 20.
The score obtained on the fifth throw is 12.

Solution:

If you are thinking to hold one chocolate from each box in hand and then balancing weight in bare hands, you are thinking all wrong.

Let us begin by labelling boxes as 1, 2, 3 and so on till 10.

Now pick one chocolate from box 1, two chocolates from box 2, three from box 3 and so on. In total, you will have 55 chocolates now. (1 + 2 + 3 + ..... + 10)

The ideal weight of the chocolates should be 55 * 20 = 1100. However, somewhere in there are the defected chocolate/s.

You can judge that clearly by noting down the result of 1100 - total weight of chocolates. If the weight is less than 1 gram, the defected box is box 1, if the weight is less than 2 grams, the defected box is box 2 and so on.

Solution:

Set the first switches on for abt 10min, and then switch on the second switch and then enter the room.
Three cases are possible
1.Bulb is on => second switch is the ans
2.Bulb is off and on touching bulb , you will find bulb to be warm
=>1st switch is the ans.
3.Bulb is off and on touching second bulb , you will find bulb to be normal(not warm)
=>3rd bulb is the ans.

Solution:

f the last elf is taking some time to answer the question then it shall mean that the elf's before him are all wearing distinct coloured hats. However sufficient time shall be given to the last elf to give the answer.
If he views the similar coloured hats in front of him , he shall quickly tell the answer

Solution:

So that the following plan can be followed, let us number the coins from 1 to 12. For the first weighing let us put on the left pan coins 1,2,3,4 and on the right pan coins 5,6,7,8.

There are two possibilities. Either they balance, or they don't. If they balance, then the different coin is in the group 9,10,11,12. So for our second one possibility is to weigh 9,10,11 against 1,2,3

(1) They balance, in which case you know 12 is the different coin, and you just weigh it against any other to determine whether it is heavy or light.
(2) 9,10,11 is heavy. In this case, you know that the different coin is 9, 10, or 11, and that that coin is heavy. Simply weigh 9 against 10; if they balance, 11 is the heavy coin. If not, the heavier one is the heavy coin.
(3) 9,10,11 is light. Proceed as in the step above, but the coin you're looking for is the light one.

That was the easy part.

What if the first weighing 1,2,3,4 vs 5,6,7,8 does not balance? Then any one of these coins could be the different coin. Now, in order to proceed, we must keep track of which side is heavy for each of the following weighings.

Suppose that 5,6,7,8 is the heavy side. We now weigh 1,5,6 against 2,7,8. If they balance, then the different coin is either 3 or 4. Weigh 4 against 9, a known good coin. If they balance then the different coin is 3, otherwise it is 4. The direction of the tilts can tell us whwther the offending coin is heavier or lighter.

Now, if 1,5,6 vs 2,7,8 does not balance, and 2,7,8 is the heavy side, then either 7 or 8 is a different, heavy coin, or 1 is a different, light coin.

For the third weighing, weigh 7 against 8. Whichever side is heavy is the different coin. If they balance, then 1 is the different coin. Should the weighing of 1,5, 6 vs 2,7,8 show 1,5,6 to be the heavy side, then either 5 or 6 is a different heavy coin or 2 is a light different coin. Weigh 5 against 6. The heavier one is the different coin. If they balance, then 2 is a different light coin.

Solution:

David to play second

Explanation:
Let's suppose that David plays first and he picks 9. Then Albert will definitely pick 8. Now, David will have to pick 7 or Albert will pick 7 in his turn. But if David picks up 7, then he will score 16 that is beyond 15 and will lose. So one thing is for sure, no one will be willing to start with the highest digits.

Suppose David plays first and picks up 1, Albert will pick 2. Then David will pick 3 and Albert will pick 4. Now David will be forced to pick 9. The score is 6 to 13 and thus David will have no chance of winning.

If David Picks 9 after Albert has picked up 2, then Albert will pick 8 and the score will become 10 to 10. Thus David will pick 3 as picking 7 will send him past 15. Now Albert will pick 4 and David has nothing to pick for winning. Thus Albert wins.

Therefore, you should suggest David to play second.

Solution:

Four

As the window was closed it is obvious that the six candles that were not extinguished were lit till they melted away entirely. Thus only four candles that were extinguished remain at the end.

Solution:

17 min

The initial solution most people will think of is to use the fastest person as an usher to guide everyone across. How long would that take? 10 + 1 + 7 + 1 + 2 = 21 minutes. Is that it? No. That would make this question too simple even as a warm up question.

Let's brainstorm a little further. To reduce the amount of time, we should find a way for 10 and 7 to go together. If they cross together, then we need one of them to come back to get the others. That would not be ideal. How do we get around that? Maybe we can have 1 waiting on the other side to bring the torch back. Ahaa, we are getting closer. The fastest way to get 1 across and be back is to use 2 to usher 1 across. So let's put all this together.

1 and 2 go cross
2 comes back
7 and 10 go across
1 comes back
1 and 2 go across (done)

Total time = 2 + 2 + 10 + 1 + 2 = 17 minutes

Solution:

2 degree below zero

Solution:

Steps:
1) Light fire on first bar from both the ends and second bar from one end.

2) After 30 seconds(when first bar gets completely burned out) , burn the second bar from second end as well.

3) When second run completely gets burned , you know its 45 seconds.