Seeing a higher number usually means you took a slower, more detailed approach. You likely examined overlapping lines, combined shapes, and less obvious formations, double-checking your work along the way. Still, this isn’t a personality test or a measure of intelligence. The real surprise often comes when someone points out a shape you completely missed, instantly changing your certainty and your count.
That moment is the real takeaway. The puzzle reminds us that perspective matters, first impressions can be incomplete, and slowing down often reveals more than rushing to an answer. So what’s considered “correct”? Most commonly accepted totals fall between thirteen and eighteen, depending on how individual, combined, and inverted shapes are counted. Many people agree that eighteen is the most comprehensive answer—but the method you use ultimately shapes the result.
