2 min read

The MU Puzzle & Dealing with Impossibility Pt. 1

Last week's recap: we discussed the concept of the knowledge tree and how you can apply it to your daily life.

Life consists of countless seemingly impossible obstacles. Sometimes, the wall looks so tall that we quit even before we attempt to try.

Now, try this puzzle below.


You are first given the string MI, which consists of the letters "M" and "I". Your goal is to turn the string into MU only by using the following rules:

RULE 1: If the last letter is I, you can add a U at the end.

I.e., MI becomes MIU

RULE 2: If you have Mx, then you can get Mxx.

I.e., MIU becomes MIUIU. MU becomes MUU.

RULE 3: III can be replaced with U.

I.e., MIII becomes MU, MIIII becomes MUI or MIU.

RULE 4: UU can be deleted from the string.

I.e., MUU becomes M, MUUI becomes MI.


Dealing with Difficulty

Did you give up halfway through reading the rules because the puzzle seemed too difficult?

Or did you give up after trying for 10 minutes?

When dealing with difficulty,

  • You never know whether something is impossible or not unless you start doing it.
  • Whenever you are scared to move, tell yourself to try it for 10 minutes, and you can turn back anytime if it is not suitable.
  • Otherwise, in the future you may regret not doing it.

Stay tuned to next week's edition for us to uncover the secrets of embracing difficulty and the idea behind the MU puzzle.