Tricky Test 2 Level 20

Overview

This level is a deliberately misleading number sequence. The header says "Find z." and lists:

• 1 = 5
• 2 = 10
• 3 = 15
• 4 = 10
• 5 = z

A numeric input box with minus, 0, plus, and OK buttons sits at the bottom. The obvious pattern is "times 5" (1×5=5, 2×5=10, 3×15...), but that breaks at 4=10. The trick is symmetry: the first line says "1 = 5", so by the same equality "5 = 1" directly. The other lines are distractions. z = 1.

• Difficulty: Regular
• Estimated moves: enter 1 and tap OK

Step-by-Step Solution

1. Read the list. The first line says "1 = 5". That equality means 5 is the value of 1, so by symmetry 5 itself equals 1.
2. Ignore the apparent "times 5" pattern (1=5, 2=10, 3=15) because the fourth line "4 = 10" breaks that pattern anyway.
3. The last line asks "5 = z". Since 1 = 5 was given, z = 1.
4. Use the plus/minus buttons at the bottom to set the input box to "1" (it starts at 0; press plus once).
5. Tap the OK button.
6. The level completes. The explanation screen reads "1 = 5, therefore 5 = 1".

Strategy & Reasoning

The puzzle lures you into doing arithmetic. You try to see 1=5, 2=10, 3=15 and assume "multiply by 5", then 4 should be 20 but it says 10, which confuses you. You might try to fit 4=10 into some other formula. But the puzzle never asks you to derive a formula; it opens with a direct equality, "1 = 5", and the last line simply inverts that same equality.

This is a classic gotcha: the first line gives the answer away for free. Because equality is symmetric, 1 = 5 implies 5 = 1. The middle rows are noise designed to make you overthink. The game's own explanation confirms: "1 = 5, therefore 5 = 1".

Tips & Common Mistakes

• Common mistake: Trying to find a formula for the sequence and computing 5 = 25 or some other number. The "times 5" pattern is broken on purpose.
• Common mistake: Leaving the input at 0. Use the plus button to set it to 1 before tapping OK.
• Common mistake: Overthinking row 4 = 10. It is a distractor; ignore it.
• Tip: The first line "1 = 5" directly answers the last line "5 = z"; z is 1.
• Tip: After entering 1, tap OK to submit.