Skip to content 
We love the feeling of figuring something out that initially seemed confusing.
And when a puzzle tricks us, we often want to share it with friends to see whether they fall into the same trap.
That’s why riddles spread so quickly on social media.
One person posts it.
Another person confidently gives the wrong answer.
A debate starts.
Before long, hundreds of comments appear as people argue over the correct solution.
Some insist the answer is 19.
Others say 11.
Still others argue for 12.
Everyone believes their reasoning is the most logical.
In reality, the puzzle succeeds because it gets people talking.
The answer matters less than the discussion it creates.
So what is the most widely accepted solution?
Let’s break it down one final time:
The man = 1 person
The sons = 9 people
The sister = 1 person
Total = 11 people
If you decide to include an unmentioned mother, then the total becomes 12 people.
But according to the information explicitly provided in the riddle, 11 is generally considered the correct answer.
And that’s the beauty of this little brain teaser.
It looks like a math problem.
It feels like a math problem.
But in reality, it’s a test of how carefully you’re paying attention.
So now that you know the answer, here’s the real question:
Did you get it right on your first try, or did the riddle fool you too? 🤔👇
Answer: 11 people (or 12 if you choose to include the mother).