How many holes are there on this shirt?

Our brains are designed to be efficient, not perfect. When we see a familiar object like a shirt, we don’t analyze it from scratch. We rely on mental shortcuts called **heuristics**.

Instead of asking, *“What constitutes a hole?”*, the brain often asks, *“What looks unusual here?”*

So we count the obvious tears or cutouts—and forget the basics.

This is where most people go wrong.

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## Step One: Defining What a “Hole” Is

Before counting anything, we need to agree on a definition.

A **hole** is:

> An opening that goes all the way through an object, from one side to the other.

That definition matters more than you might think.

Decorations, outlines, shadows, or printed shapes don’t count. Neither do folds or wrinkles. Only actual openings qualify.

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Step Two: The Holes Everyone Forgets

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