Lateral Thinking...

The basic idea underpinning (this version) of Lateral Thinking is that you are presented with a puzzle (or "problem" if you prefer) whose solution requires you to think in a way that is different to the way you would normally think about a problem.

A typical Lateral Thinking puzzle, for example, will present you with a scenario and then ask you a question based on the scenario. The trick, if you want to see it in these terms, is to think about the information "missing" from the scenario that will enable you to solve the puzzle.

In other words, to successfully solve a puzzle, you need to be aware that, since the objective is to get you to question the initial assumptions you have about the scenario, any solution will normally involve you having

to change your initial assumptions and apply a new set of assumptions to the scenario.

If this seems a little-complicated, the easiest way to get into the swing of things is to try a couple of the puzzles. When you look at the supplied answer to each puzzle you should start to understand what is required from you...