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The Times of India
The Times of India
Lifestyle
TOI Lifestyle Desk | etimes.in

Optical Illusion: Only a few have been able to spot 508 in this image within 2 seconds; would you like to try?

Ever tried one of those "find the odd one out" puzzles? This pic is a great example! At first glance, it's packed with the numbers "503" and "305" in a pattern. But somewhere in this puzzle, hidden from view, is "508"—the imposter that's hiding in plain sight. So, how do you spot it? Let's go through it step by step!

Don’t just let your eyes wander randomly. Instead, try scanning row by row or column by column. This structured approach increases your chances of spotting the odd number out without missing anything. Numbers "3" and "8" have a similar roundness, but "8" is distinctly different. A great trick is to look for the fully closed loops of "8" in place of "3" or "0". This contrast makes spotting "508" easier. Instead of scanning the whole image at once, divide it mentally into four quadrants—top left, top right, bottom left, and bottom right. Scan each quadrant thoroughly before proceeding to the next. This technique keeps your eyes from moving too rapidly and missing important details.

At times, if you stare too intensely at one place, you may miss something glaring. Rather, attempt to blur your vision a bit and use peripheral vision to pick up on anything that doesn't look right.

Why is it important to solve these puzzles?

Now you may be thinking, "Okay, I found it—but why does it matter, anyway?" Here's why these small challenges are not just a good time-killer. This is a mini brain gym! Similar to how your body requires exercise, your brain is also helped by these types of mental workouts. These types of games assist in developing memory, concentration, and mental quickness.

Spotting the anomaly in a sea of similar-looking numbers sharpens your ability to notice details others might overlook. This skill is useful in everyday life, from reading fine print to detecting subtle changes in patterns. Your brain is doing a lot of work behind the scenes, interpreting visual information, recognizing shapes, and keeping out distractions. This exercise improves visual perception, which comes in handy during driving, reading, and solving problems.

Finding "508" requires patience and concentration—something we all need more of in today’s fast-paced digital world. Training your brain to focus deeply for a few minutes a day improves overall cognitive performance.

Next time you are with friends, pull out a similar challenge and watch everyone get hooked. You will be the one who finds it first and impresses everyone with your sharp eye!

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