The Power of Puzzles: Why Thinking Differently Matters

 

The Power of Puzzles: Why Thinking Differently Matters 

By Chithra Dhananjayan, Mathematics Department

Have you ever tried solving a tricky puzzle and felt that “aha!” moment when the answer finally clicked? That’s the magic of puzzles — they make our minds sharper and teach us to think in new ways.

When I was younger, I thought mathematics was all about numbers and formulas. But once I started solving puzzles, I realized that maths is not just about getting answers — it’s about thinking differently. Every puzzle hides a pattern, a clue, or a smart shortcut that challenges our brain to see things from another angle.

Puzzles make us patient thinkers. Sometimes, we fail again and again before finding the right path. But that’s what learning is all about — exploring, experimenting, and not giving up. When we try to solve Sudoku, riddles, or logic grids, our brain practices creativity, reasoning, and problem-solving — all at once! 

In fact, puzzles are like mental gyms. Just like exercise strengthens our body, solving puzzles strengthens our brain. They also make maths fun and exciting. When we approach problems with curiosity instead of fear, we discover that even the hardest questions can be solved with the right mindset.

So the next time you face a challenging problem, treat it like a puzzle. Don’t rush for the answer — enjoy the journey of thinking, guessing, and discovering. Because in mathematics, and in life too, the real power lies not just in knowing the answer, but in thinking differently to find it.

As a Mathematics teacher, I’ve always believed that true learning begins when students start thinking differently. One of the most effective ways I’ve seen this happen in the classroom is through puzzles.

Mathematical puzzles do more than test a student’s knowledge — they awaken curiosity. When students engage with a riddle or a logic puzzle, their minds start searching for patterns, connections, and hidden clues. In that process, they begin to understand that mathematics is not confined to formulas and numbers; it’s a way of thinking, exploring, and reasoning.

I’ve noticed that even the quietest learners come alive when a puzzle is presented. There’s excitement in the air — eyes light up, ideas are exchanged, and every student becomes a problem-solver. What I love most is that puzzles encourage multiple ways of thinking. There isn’t just one “right” path; there are many creative routes to reach a solution.

Puzzles teach patience, perseverance, and logical reasoning — skills that go far beyond the classroom. They help students realise that making mistakes is part of discovery, and that success often comes to those who dare to look at problems from a new angle.

In a world that constantly changes, the ability to think differently is one of the greatest strengths we can give our learners. And through puzzles, mathematics becomes not just a subject to study — but a joyful journey of imagination, challenge, and discovery.

❤️ How I Fell in Love with Mathematics

By Chithra Dhananjayan, Mathematics Department

My journey with mathematics began not in a classroom, but in the small everyday wonders around me. As a child, I was fascinated by patterns — the petals of a flower, the rhythm of a song, or the shapes of tiles on the floor. I didn’t realise it then, but I was already discovering the beauty of mathematics hidden in daily life.

When I started learning mathematics at school, I was amazed by how a few simple symbols and numbers could explain so much about our world. Each problem felt like a mystery waiting to be solved, and every formula seemed like a secret key that unlocked new understanding. But what truly made me fall in love with maths was the sense of logic and creativity it offered — it taught me that there can be many ways to reach one answer.

As I became a teacher, my love for mathematics deepened. I found joy in helping students overcome their fear of numbers and see maths as a friend, not a foe. Watching a student’s face light up when they finally “get it” — that’s the most rewarding moment for any teacher.

To me, mathematics is not just a subject; it’s a way of thinking. It teaches us patience, clarity, and confidence. Every equation tells a story of balance, and every problem teaches perseverance.

Even today, I continue to fall in love with mathematics — in the sparkle of a student’s curiosity, in the elegance of a perfect solution, and in the endless patterns that connect our universe.