The document discusses false assumptions through a series of stories with mysteries to solve. It highlights common assumptions that were false, such as assuming a character was walking on city streets instead of a baseball field, or that two trains arrived at the same time on a bridge instead of at different times. The document emphasizes being aware of assumptions made and considering other possibilities to avoid false assumptions.

1. False AssumptionsFalse Assumptions

2. What is an assumption?What is an assumption?

3. ChallengeChallenge
 Solve the mystery.Solve the mystery.
 You may ask only yes or no questions.You may ask only yes or no questions.
 Ask only one questions at a time.Ask only one questions at a time.
 Ready???Ready???
 Set…Set…
 Go!!!Go!!!

4. Story 1Story 1
 A woman leaves home and makesA woman leaves home and makes
three left turns. She returns homethree left turns. She returns home
again. On the way, she passed twoagain. On the way, she passed two
women with masks.women with masks.
 Who were the two women?Who were the two women?

5. AnswerAnswer
 The umpire and the catcherThe umpire and the catcher

6. False AssumptionFalse Assumption
 That the woman was walking on cityThat the woman was walking on city
streets. She really is on a baseballstreets. She really is on a baseball
field.field.

7. Story 2Story 2
 Two trains tracks run parallel to each other,Two trains tracks run parallel to each other,
except for a short distance where they meetexcept for a short distance where they meet
and become on track over a narrow bridge.and become on track over a narrow bridge.
One morning, a train speeds onto theOne morning, a train speeds onto the
bridge. Another train coming from thebridge. Another train coming from the
opposite direction, also speeds onto theopposite direction, also speeds onto the
bridge. Neither train can stop short on thebridge. Neither train can stop short on the
bridge, yet there is no collision. How is thisbridge, yet there is no collision. How is this
possible?possible?

8. AnswerAnswer
 The trains were crossing the bridge atThe trains were crossing the bridge at
different times of the morning.different times of the morning.

9. False AssumptionFalse Assumption
 Sounds life the two trains had arrivedSounds life the two trains had arrived
at the same time; it was just the sameat the same time; it was just the same
morning.morning.

10. Story 3Story 3
 There is an ancient invention still usedThere is an ancient invention still used
in some parts of the world today thatin some parts of the world today that
allows people to see through walls.allows people to see through walls.
What is it?What is it?

11. AnswerAnswer
 WindowsWindows

12. False AssumptionFalse Assumption
 The walls are totally solid and opaque.The walls are totally solid and opaque.
 The walls are not part of a house.The walls are not part of a house.
 Somehow, windows weren’tSomehow, windows weren’t
“invented”.“invented”.
 Windows aren’t that ancientWindows aren’t that ancient
 ““Some parts of the world” means onlySome parts of the world” means only
found in a few places, not commonlyfound in a few places, not commonly
found.found.

13. Story 4Story 4
 Sly Hand, the famous magician, claimsSly Hand, the famous magician, claims
he can tell the score of any footballhe can tell the score of any football
game before it even starts. Many thinkgame before it even starts. Many think
he is psychic and possesseshe is psychic and possesses
supernatural powers. How is it that hesupernatural powers. How is it that he
can be accurate about the score 100%can be accurate about the score 100%
of the time?of the time?

14. AnswerAnswer
 There really is no magic. The score ofThere really is no magic. The score of
any football game before it starts isany football game before it starts is
always “zero to zero”.always “zero to zero”.

15. False AssumptionFalse Assumption
 That the “score” was the final score.That the “score” was the final score.
Also, we don’t assume any scoreAlso, we don’t assume any score
exists before the game begins.exists before the game begins.

16. Story 5Story 5
 Justin Summers owns a vacation house in northernJustin Summers owns a vacation house in northern
Ontario which has a A-shaped roof. One side of theOntario which has a A-shaped roof. One side of the
roof faces north and the other side faces south.roof faces north and the other side faces south.
The prevailing winds from the north are usuallyThe prevailing winds from the north are usually
quite strong. The strange thing is that the strongerquite strong. The strange thing is that the stronger
the north wind blow, the stronger the resultingthe north wind blow, the stronger the resulting
updraft on the south side of the roof. Therefore, if aupdraft on the south side of the roof. Therefore, if a
rooster was to lay an egg on the peak of the roofrooster was to lay an egg on the peak of the roof
during a strong northerly wind, on which side shouldduring a strong northerly wind, on which side should
the egg fall most of the time?the egg fall most of the time?

17. AnswerAnswer
 Roosters don’t laid eggs.Roosters don’t laid eggs.

18. False AssumptionFalse Assumption
 That the rooster, being a chicken, wasThat the rooster, being a chicken, was
a hen.a hen.

19. Story 6Story 6
 A man and his son were rock climbingA man and his son were rock climbing
on a particular mountain when theyon a particular mountain when they
slipped and fell. Both were badlyslipped and fell. Both were badly
injured and were rushed to a hospital.injured and were rushed to a hospital.
The old surgeon looked at the youngThe old surgeon looked at the young
man and declared, “I can’t operate onman and declared, “I can’t operate on
this boy: he is my son.”this boy: he is my son.”
 How can this be?How can this be?

20. AnswerAnswer
 The old surgeon was the boy’s motherThe old surgeon was the boy’s mother

21. False AssumptionFalse Assumption
 That the surgeon was a man.That the surgeon was a man.

22. Story 7Story 7
 Preston and his men searched the frozenPreston and his men searched the frozen
tundra for missing man Ben Barker. Just astundra for missing man Ben Barker. Just as
they were about to give up, one of Preston’sthey were about to give up, one of Preston’s
men spotted a body. Barker was foundmen spotted a body. Barker was found
unconscious lying in the snow. There wereunconscious lying in the snow. There were
no tracks leading to or from the body. Theno tracks leading to or from the body. The
cause of his injuries was partially due to thecause of his injuries was partially due to the
opened pack on his back. His condition wasopened pack on his back. His condition was
not do to thirst, hunger, or cold. What wasnot do to thirst, hunger, or cold. What was
in Barker’s pack that caused his condition?in Barker’s pack that caused his condition?

23. AnswerAnswer
 An unopened parachute.An unopened parachute.

24. False AssumptionFalse Assumption
 That Barker’s “pack” was a backpack,That Barker’s “pack” was a backpack,
not a parachute pack. Also, he hadnot a parachute pack. Also, he had
arrived there somehow by land, not byarrived there somehow by land, not by
air.air.

25. Wrap Up QuestionsWrap Up Questions
 What is a false assumption?What is a false assumption?
 What types do you make everyday?What types do you make everyday?
 What problems can arise from makingWhat problems can arise from making
false assumptions?false assumptions?
 What are some false assumptions thatWhat are some false assumptions that
scientists have made?scientists have made?
 What can we do to lessen the chanceWhat can we do to lessen the chance
of making a false assumption?of making a false assumption?