This type of riddle relies on a well-known trick: it exploits our automatic mental processes. As soon as we read “1975,” our brain automatically connects this number to a year. It’s normal: we spontaneously associate this type of number with a date. And that’s exactly where we get stuck!
Because in reality, nothing says “1975” as a year. It’s just an interpretation… and everything depends on that.
So, what’s the solution?
The woman was indeed born and died in 1975… but not in the year 1975. She was born in room 1975 of a hospital (or other facility). And she died in that same room in 1975, at the age of 22.
Yes, it’s simple and brilliant.
The puzzle is therefore based solely on the ambiguity of a single number. And it perfectly demonstrates our tendency to want to “interpret everything” linearly, following our usual mental patterns. A beautiful demonstration of what we call lateral thinking!
