How to play Who Is Telling the Truth?
- Read the puzzle carefully, including how many people are telling the truth.
- Pick a suspect. If it was them, which statements would be true and which false?
- Count the truths. Does that match what the puzzle says?
- Press Reveal the answer to check your reasoning.
Maths skills this game builds
- Logical reasoning
- Testing an idea and checking it (proof by contradiction)
- Careful reading
- Explaining and justifying
Tips for parents and carers
- Do not shout the answer. The best part is explaining how you know.
- Ask “What if it was Ben? Which statements would be true then?”
- Make up your own puzzle with three people and one lie.
Using Who Is Telling the Truth? with a group or class
- Read each puzzle on screen. Give groups a few minutes, then ask a child to explain their reasoning before you reveal the answer.
- The puzzles get harder: the mislabelled boxes and the two guards are good extension tasks.
- Paper tip: write the suspects across the top and tick each statement as true or false.
Frequently asked questions
What is a knights and knaves puzzle?
It is a famous kind of logic puzzle where some people always tell the truth and others always lie. Several of these puzzles are of that type.
Is guessing allowed?
Guessing is fine, but the aim is to prove the answer. Test every suspect and see why the others cannot work.
How many puzzles are there?
Six puzzles, from straightforward to tricky.