A new optical illusion puzzle has been making waves across social media feeds this week, sparking debates and playful competition among Australians. The challenge, which asks viewers to locate the hidden number 36 camouflaged among rows of “86” and “68,” has quickly become the latest viral test of observation skills and patience.
The puzzle image, filled with crowded numbers that look nearly identical, relies on visual trickery and pattern recognition. At first glance, every number appears the same, creating a challenge that has left many squinting at their screens or zooming in for a closer look. The difficulty lies in how easily one’s eyes confuse the similar shapes of “3” and “8” as well as “6,” making the number “36” blend seamlessly into the background of repeating digits.
Why Australians are embracing the challenge
From workplace lunch breaks to late-night scrolling sessions, the number-spotting puzzle has become a casual pastime for many Australians. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) have seen widespread sharing of the illusion, with users timing themselves to see how fast they can solve it.
“It’s harder than it looks – I sat there for three minutes before I finally saw it,” confessed Aaron, a Sydney office worker who shared the challenge with his colleagues. “The fun part was watching everyone else argue about whether it was even there.”
The puzzle taps into the same fascination that has made “blue-and-black or white-and-gold dress” debates, hidden object games, and “Where’s Wally?” books so enduring. Australians love a good visual test that blends challenge with a light-hearted sense of community.
The science behind the difficulty
Optical illusions such as this rely on how the brain processes text and shapes under visual clutter. Cognitive experts explain that human vision naturally scans for familiar patterns, which can sometimes override the ability to spot differences.
Dr. Emily Harper, a psychologist from Melbourne who specialises in visual perception, says puzzles like this highlight how easily our brains can be tricked. “When numbers are placed in uniform rows with very similar shapes, our perception tends to ‘flatten’ the details. The eyes jump from one block of shapes to another, and we miss subtle digits like the 3,” she explained.
That mental slip is exactly what makes puzzles of this kind both frustrating and rewarding. The eventual moment of clarity brings a satisfying “aha!” feeling, making the challenge highly shareable.
Social media reactions
On TikTok, where short challenges and optical illusions spread rapidly, videos of the number search have racked up hundreds of thousands of views. Competing comments range from proud participants boasting they found the “36” in seconds to others admitting defeat.
In Facebook groups and local online communities, Australians are tagging friends to take up the challenge, turning it into friendly digital rivalry. For many, it provides a lighthearted break from daily routines and heavier news stories.
A test of patience and focus
While the hidden number puzzle may seem like simple fun, experts note it also exercises concentration. Tasks that require close inspection of detail can help train the mind to become more attentive, particularly in an age of constant digital distractions.
Though not every participant will have the patience to find “36” immediately, the viral trend is giving Australians a chance to enjoy a collective moment of amusement – and perhaps sharpen their observation skills at the same time.
Optical Illusion Answer
The “Hidden Number 36 among 86 and 68” challenge is a reminder of how simple visual games can unite people across ages and backgrounds. Whether solved in a few seconds or after a long search, the puzzle has become a test of focus, sparking online chatter and proving once again that Australians love a good brain teaser.
