Monday, October 19, 2026

Plain #2

The day’s seven targets and the closest answers in our lists, with their real values. Points are before bonuses.

Round 1 · 👥 Country population in 2023

What was the 2023 population of Canada, in millions of people, according to the World Bank?

Answer

40.0491 million people

The capital of Canada is Ottawa. The population figure refers to 2023.

World Bank · Country population in 2023 · 2023 snapshot

Round 2 · 🧱 Element density

Name a chemical element closest to 16K kg/m³.

Target 16,000 kg/m³

Best answer

Tantalum

16,400 kg/m³ · 92 points · Source

Also close

Protactinium

15,370 kg/m³ · 88 points · Source

Also close

Berkelium

14,000 kg/m³ · 64 points · Source

Also close

Americium

13,690 kg/m³ · 60 points · Source

Round 3 · 🪐 Planetary mean radius · Golden Round ×2

Name a planet or dwarf planet closest to 710 km.

Target 710 km

Best answer

Makemake

714 km · 98 points · Source

Also close

Haumea

715 km · 98 points · Source

Also close

Ceres

469.7 km · 26 points · Source

Also close

Pluto

1,188.3 km · 18 points · Source

Round 4 · 🪐 Planetary mean radius

Using JPL’s mean radius, what is the mean diameter of Pluto, in kilometres?

Answer

2,376.6 km

A diameter is twice the radius. JPL lists Pluto's mean radius as 1188.3 km.

NASA JPL Solar System Dynamics · Planetary Physical Parameters

Round 5 · 🌍 Capitals: distance from Washington, D.C.

Name a capital city closest to 4.5K km.

Target 4,500 km

Best answer

Reykjavik

4,517 km · 99 points · Source

Also close

Quito

4,353 km · 90 points · Source

Also close

Paramaribo

4,284 km · 85 points · Source

Also close

Torshavn

5,257 km · 60 points · Source

Round 6 · 🧊 Element melting point

Name a chemical element closest to 530 K.

Target 530 K

Best answer

Polonium

527 K · 98 points · Source

Also close

Bismuth

544.55 K · 91 points · Source

Also close

Tin

505.08 K · 85 points · Source

Also close

Selenium

493.65 K · 79 points · Source

Round 7 · ♨️ Element boiling point · Finale

Name a chemical element closest to 720 K.

Target 720 K

Best answer

Sulfur

717.75 K · 99 points · Source

Also close

Mercury

629.88 K · 64 points · Source

Also close

Arsenic

887 K · 50 points · Source

Also close

Phosphorus

553.65 K · 42 points · Source

All puzzlesPlay today’s Plain