Duncker's candle problem

Duncker's candle problem is a classic psychological test that explores creative thinking and problem-solving. Participants are given a candle, a box of thumbtacks, and matches, and are asked to fix the candle to a wall so it doesn't drip onto the table below. The challenge is to find a solution that requires thinking beyond conventional uses of the objects. The key insight is realizing that the box holding the thumbtacks can be emptied and then used as a shelf for the candle. This task demonstrates how perspective and mental flexibility influence our ability to solve problems.