The internet is full of viral challenges that test our cognitive abilities, and this particular image puzzle has left many scratching their heads. The challenge seems simple enough at first glance: count the number of dots in the image. But as with most puzzles that go viral, there’s more than meets the eye.

The puzzle presents an arrangement of green dots, forming a cross-like shape. It seems straightforward—just count the dots, right? However, many people fail to notice additional details hidden in the image, leading to incorrect answers. The challenge isn’t just about counting the obvious dots; it’s about seeing beyond the surface.

This puzzle leverages a common cognitive trick: our brains often overlook details when focusing on the bigger picture. That’s why it’s easy to miss some of the less obvious dots embedded in the image. Our brains are wired to simplify tasks, sometimes at the cost of accuracy.

Let’s break down the image step by step:

The Main Dots: The first thing you see are the green dots arranged in a cross pattern. There are 20 green dots in total.

The Hidden Dots: But wait, there’s more. The percentage sign (%) in the phrase “99% will fail” has two dots, one above the slash and one below it.

The Number “99”: The number “99” itself contains two dots as well, formed by the circular parts of the digits.

The Dot in “Fail”: There is a dot in the word “Fail.”

Dots in the Text: Finally, the phrase “How many dots?” at the bottom of the image contains four more dots.

When you add them all together, you get the following count:

• 20 green dots in the cross pattern.
• 2 dots in the percentage sign (%).
• 2 dots in the number “99.”
• 1 dot in the word “Fail.”
• 4 dots in the phrase “How many dots?”

This gives you a total of 29 dots.

The reason so many people fail this challenge is that we tend to focus on the most prominent feature—the green dots—while overlooking the smaller details hidden in plain sight. It’s a great example of how our brains can play tricks on us, filtering out what seems unimportant to simplify the task at hand.

This puzzle serves as a reminder of the importance of attention to detail, especially when solving problems. It’s not just about seeing what’s right in front of you but also about looking deeper to find hidden elements. The trickiness of this puzzle can be attributed to a phenomenon known as selective attention. This is the cognitive process of focusing on certain stimuli while ignoring others.

Selective attention is a useful tool in our everyday lives, allowing us to concentrate on important tasks without getting overwhelmed by extraneous information. However, it can also lead us to overlook critical details, as demonstrated by this puzzle. By honing our ability to focus on the details that matter, we can improve our problem-solving skills and avoid common mistakes.

So, how many dots are there? The answer is 29. This puzzle is a perfect example of why it’s important to consider all aspects of a problem before jumping to a conclusion. By paying closer attention to the details, you can avoid the common pitfalls that catch many people off guard.

Next time you come across a challenge like this, remember to slow down and consider every element of the problem. You might be surprised by what you find when you look beyond the obvious.