Brain teasers have a simple goal. They make the brain pause, think, and then think again. Some puzzles look easy at first glance, but they quietly test logic, focus, and number sense. That is why this latest viral problem has caught so much attention online.The puzzle was shared by @Matt_Pinner on X, and it quickly sparked a flood of comments. Many people jumped in with answers within seconds. Others stared at it longer than expected and still felt unsure.Here is the challenge.
Image credit: X/matt pinner
Arrange these four digits to make a number that is closest to 5000.The digits are 2, 4, 6, and 9.Each digit must be used once, and the result must be a four-digit number.At first, the task feels straightforward. But the moment the brain starts rearranging numbers, doubt creeps in. Should the number start with 4 or 5? Is it better to go slightly above 5000 or stay below it? These small decisions are what make the puzzle tricky.Most people in the comment section landed on the same answer: 4962. But is that really the closest number to 5000?Let’s break it down in a clear and simple way.Since none of the digits include 5, the number cannot actually reach 5000. That means the best option must fall below 5000. To get as close as possible, the first digit should be 4, because starting with 6 or 9 would push the number far above the target.Now comes the next step. After fixing 4 in the thousands place, the remaining digits are 2, 6, and 9. To move closer to 5000, the largest remaining digit should go next. That digit is 9, followed by 6, and then 2.This gives the number 4962.To confirm, compare the difference:5000 − 4962 = 38Try another nearby option like 4926:5000 − 4926 = 74The gap is much bigger. Other combinations like 4692 or 4629 move even farther away. So the math checks out.Yes, 4962 really is the closest possible number using those four digits.Why do puzzles like this go viral so fast? The reason is simple. They feel quick, but they demand precision. A tiny mistake in order changes the final result. Read also: Count the number of squares correctlyThese teasers also trigger a competitive instinct. Everyone wants to solve it faster than others and prove sharp thinking.Can solving puzzles like this make someone a “super genius”? Not exactly, but they do sharpen number awareness, mental speed, and decision-making. They also show how the brain handles pressure when time feels limited.This teaser proves one thing clearly. Sometimes the smartest answer is not about rushing. It is about slowing down just enough to see the pattern hiding in plain sight.
