I Think Therefore I Enjoy These

Logical thinking is fun.
Dell Logic Puzzles require logical thinking.
Therefore Dell Logic Puzzles are fun.

Ah, logic problems. The term encompasses such a broad span of mind benders and pencil puzzles. From the twisted offerings of Martin Gardner to the geometric puzzles of lego building to the make the pairing puzzles typically found in puzzle magazines I love them all.

Dell Logic Puzzles magazine was a staple in my house growing up. It's hard to say whether my dad or I garnered more enjoyment from them and we always fought over the issues.

We tried working the puzzles together, making it a togetherness activity but that didn't work very well. My dad needs to carefully explore every option, slowly eliminating each choice. My brain makes quick connections, jumping from one step to the next, understanding and acting without needing to cross check every detail four times. In short, he drove me crazy.

We finally came to the agreement that the first person would do all of the puzzles in pencil then erase them so the other one could do the puzzles. I hated the not-quite erased puzzles and always tried to be first.

The Magazine

Dell Logic Puzzles, published bimonthly, consists of between 45-55 logic problems. There are no other puzzles in the magazine. The end of the magazine has detailed solutions for each puzzle.

Each puzzle has a brief introduction explaining what you are trying to solve. The introduction may or may not include hints to help you solve the puzzle. Below the introduction is the meat of the puzzle, a series of statements that are your clues. Between the introduction and these clues you have enough information to solve the puzzle.

Most puzzles ask you to match up pairings of traits coming up with a group of traits for each person, animal, place, etc. Most of these also include a grid to help you determine the solution. This grid contains a box for every pair of traits. You can cross off the box when you've determined that two traits don't belong together or fill it in if they are a match. This grid makes the puzzles much easier to solve.

Not every puzzle comes with a grid. Some come with a diagram instead. If you are asked to determine where people sit at a dinner party chances are you will be supplied with a diagram of the table to fill in instead of a grid.

Some of the very hardest puzzles come with no visual aids. You are on your own to determine the best way to solve the puzzle.

The puzzles in each issue start off very easy and get progressively harder. The first few puzzles can be solved with almost no effort by anyone familiar with logic problems while the last few puzzles are nearly impossible.

Each issue costs $2.99 and provides hours of enjoyment. For an extra challenge, work the puzzles in pen so you can't erase mistakes.