Solution:

It is mentioned that 'all but fifteen pencils' were used by him. This phrase means that except fifteen, all his pencils were used.

Thus, he is left with fifteen pencils.

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:

Old password : altered

New Password : distinct

Solution:

If you take a look closely, you will acknowledge the fact that every symbol in the given figure is somehow associated with the surrounding one’s position. The upside-down spade is used to the left of a right-side-up heart every time.

Solution:

1653

Explanation:
For an ideal case, the batsman will hit a six on each ball. But if he hits six on the last ball of the over, the strike will change in the next over. Thus, the best he can do in the last ball is run 3 runs so that he retains the strike even in the next over. Thus the total runs that he can score in each over:
6 * 5 + 3 = 33
But this will have to go like it only till the 49th over. In the last over, he can hit a six in the last ball as well as that will be the last ball of the match.
Thus runs for the last over will be 6 * 6 = 36.
Hence the maximum runs = 33 * 49 + 36 = 1653

Solution:

Karate Kid (car + at + tea + kid)

Solution:

17 mins

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 mins. 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 mins

Solution:

3/7

Explanation:
If a 31day month starts on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday it will have five Sunday, if not it will have 4 Sunday.

Solution:

One Minute building

building 62 => Sixty second building => One minute building

Solution:

You will ask, I have a number in my mind that i.e. either 2 or 3. Is the number that I have in my mind smaller or equal to the number that you are thinking of?

If Alan replies with no, he is thinking of the number 1.
If Alan replies with yes, he is thinking of the number 3.
If Alan replies with don't know, he is thinking of the number 2.

Solution:

This can be done if you draw a five pointed star and place the balls on the corners and intersection points. See the figure to understand better.