Light-Bulb Math Riddles with answers

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A collection of Math Riddles for fun and pleasure! Tease your brain with these riddles, then click to show or hide the answer. (Note: You may need to enable JavaScript on your browser for the answers to show properly.)

Also visit our Math Trivia page for more arithmetic riddles, geometry riddles, algebra riddles,calculus riddles etc

"Light-bulb" Math Riddles

1. How many mathematicians does it take to change a light bulb? None. The answer is intuitively obvious or. It's left to the reader as an exercise.
2. How many numerical analysts does it take to change a light bulb? 3.9967 (after six iterations).
3. How many mathematical logicians does it take to change a light bulb? None. They can't do it, but they can easily prove that it can be done.
4. How many classical geometers does it take to change a light bulb? None. You can't do it with a straight edge and a compass.
5. How many math analysts does it take to change a light bulb? Three. One to prove existence, one to prove uniqueness and one to derive a nonconstructive algorithm to do it.
6. How many number theorists does it take to change a light bulb? I don't know the exact number, but I am sure it must be some rather elegant prime.
7. How many statisticians does it take to screw in a light bulb? We really don't know yet. Our entire sample was skewed to the left!
8. How many math students does it take to change a light bulb? Ten. One to do it and nine to watch.
9. How many topologists does it take to change a light bulb? Just one. But what will you do with the doughnut?
10. How many professors does it take change a light bulb? One. With eight research students, two programmers, three post-docs and a secretary to help him.
11. How many university lecturers does it take to change a light bulb? Four. One to do it and three to co-author the paper.
12. How many graduate students does it take to change a light bulb? Only one. But it takes nine years.
13. How many math department administrators does it take to change a light bulb? None. What was wrong with the old one?
14. How many geometry teachers does it take to change a light bulb? None. They can't do it. They can only prove that it can be done

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