Numerical Deduction Puzzles Practice Test Worksheets
Numerical deduction questions give three clues about a two-digit number. The safest method is to test each answer option against every clue, crossing out choices as soon as they fail.
For students who can do arithmetic, but lose marks when they have to infer hidden values from several clues at once.
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The Rules Every Numerical Deduction Question Uses
Each option is a possible two-digit number. A correct answer must satisfy all three clues, not just one or two.
🔍 Rule 1: Test every clue
An option is correct only if it passes all three clues.
Example: 37 passes less than 50, prime, and digit difference 4.
✂️ Rule 2: Eliminate fast
Once an option fails a clue, cross it out and move on.
Example: 95 fails "less than 50", so it cannot be correct.
🔁 Rule 3: Reverse digits carefully
Some clues compare a number with its reversal, such as 21 becoming 12.
Example: 21 - 12 = 9.
➕ Rule 4: Check digit facts
Digit sum, digit difference, parity, multiples, squares, and primes are common clues.
Example: 85 has digit sum 13 and is a multiple of 5.
How to Solve Numerical Deduction Puzzles
Three useful moves: test each clue in order, stop when an option fails, and be precise with digit reversals.
1. Check a Simple Set of Clues
Question: The number is less than 50, prime, and the difference between its digits is 4. What number is it?
Options: A 37 B 95 C 11 D 16 E 29
Worked Method
Step 1: 37 is less than 50.
Step 2: 37 is prime.
Step 3: Its digit difference is 7 - 3 = 4, so it passes all clues.
Answer: A
2. Use Reversal Clues
Question: The number has a 3-digit square, is not prime, and its reversal is 9 less than the original. What number is it?
Options: A 21 B 25 C 51 D 19 E 70
Worked Method
Step 1: 21² = 441, which has 3 digits.
Step 2: 21 is not prime because 21 = 3 x 7.
Step 3: Reversing 21 gives 12, and 21 - 12 = 9.
Answer: A
3. Do Not Stop After Two Clues
Question: The number is a multiple of 5, its digits add to 13, and its reversal is 27 less than the original. What number is it?
Options: A 10 B 52 C 94 D 85 E 95
Worked Method
Step 1: 85 is a multiple of 5.
Step 2: Its digit sum is 8 + 5 = 13.
Step 3: Reversing 85 gives 58, and 85 - 58 = 27.
Answer: D. The trap: 95 is a multiple of 5, but its digit sum is 14, so it fails.
Before You Buy
Want to check the level and layout first? Download the free 3-question sample. It uses the same question style, printable format, and answer-key approach as the full pack.
Download Free Sample PDFGet the Full Practice Pack
The full Numerical Deduction pack contains 90 clue-based questions across 3 printable test sets, with answer keys included for checking and review.
Opens in Etsy, which handles checkouts and downloads.
