What connects Basketball Courts, Tracks, Pools, Highways, and Bowling Alleys?
They are all places defined by lanes. Whether for traffic, swimmers, runners, or bowling balls, the lane is the fundamental unit of organization.
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LinkedIn Pinpoint #569 Answer:
Detailed breakdown continues just below - keep scrolling
Pinpoint #569 Walkthrough & Analysis
Puzzle Overview
Today's LinkedIn Pinpoint puzzle #569 sets a clever trap. It opens with 'Basketball Courts' and 'Running Tracks,' practically shouting 'Athletics!' or 'Olympics!' When 'Olympic Swimming Pools' joins the list, the sports theme seems airtight. But then 'Highways' arrives to crash the party, leaving the Olympic theory in ruins. The challenge isn't to find a shared activity, but to look closer at the physical design of each location. What structural element defines the movement in all five places?
How the Solution Emerged
I fell for the detailed misdirection hook, line, and sinker. 'Basketball Courts' plus 'Running Tracks'? Easy - sports. Add 'Olympic Swimming Pools'? Done - Olympic Venues. I was ready to type it in.
Then 'Highways' appeared. I stared at it. Is highway driving a sport? No. I tried to pivot to 'Paved Surfaces' or 'Concrete Things,' but that felt weak. I looked at 'Bowling Alleys' next. It wasn't about the game, because you don't play games on a highway. I closed my eyes and visualized each place. A swimmer staying in their lane... a car merging into the left lane... a bowler aiming down the lane... a sprinter in lane 4.
The word screamed out: LANES. It wasn't about what you do there, but how the space is divided. The 'Olympic' adjective was just noise to distract from the simple geometry of a lane.
How Each Clue Connects to "Places with lanes"
| Clue Word | Example Phrase | Connection Explained |
|---|---|---|
| Basketball Courts | “Three-point line” | The three-point line is a designated area on basketball courts that defines where shots are worth three points, illustrating the concept of lanes within the court. |
| Running Tracks | “Athletic lanes” | Running tracks are designed with designated lanes for athletes to compete in races. |
| Olympic Swimming Pools | “swimming lane” | Olympic swimming pools are designed with multiple designated lanes for swimmers to compete in, ensuring organized races. |
| Highways | “Express lanes” | Highways often feature express lanes, which are designated lanes for faster-moving traffic, enhancing roadway efficiency. |
| Bowling Alleys | “Bowling lane” | A bowling alley features multiple lanes where players roll bowling balls to knock down pins. |
The Correct Connections
Once the answer was revealed, everything made perfect sense. Here's how each clue connects:
- Basketball Courts (Three-point line): The three-point line is a designated area on basketball courts that defines where shots are worth three points, illustrating the concept of lanes within the court.
- Running Tracks (Athletic lanes): Running tracks are designed with designated lanes for athletes to compete in races.
- Olympic Swimming Pools (swimming lane): Olympic swimming pools are designed with multiple designated lanes for swimmers to compete in, ensuring organized races.
- Highways (Express lanes): Highways often feature express lanes, which are designated lanes for faster-moving traffic, enhancing roadway efficiency.
- Bowling Alleys (Bowling lane): A bowling alley features multiple lanes where players roll bowling balls to knock down pins.
Lessons Learned from Pinpoint #569
- 1
Adjectives can be traps
The word 'Olympic' in 'Olympic Swimming Pools' was unnecessary for the definition but vital for the misdirection. Strip away descriptive adjectives to see the core object clearly.
- 2
Visualize the geometry
When functional themes (mostly sports) fail, look at the shape of the place. Parallel lines, dividers, and distinct paths often point to structural words like 'Lanes', 'Tracks', or 'Rows'.
- 3
The Rule of Three is a lie
Designers often reinforce a fake pattern with the first three clues (Court, Track, Pool = Sports) only to break it with the fourth (Highway). Don't lock in your answer until you've checked the outliers.
- 4
Definition precision
While 'Lines' might describe the paint, 'Lanes' describes the space created by the lines. Pinpoint usually prefers the word that defines the space or object itself.
FAQ
Does 'Basketball Court' really have a lane?
Yes. The rectangular painted area under the basket (often called the paint or key) is technically the free throw lane.
Why doesn't 'Highways' fit 'Paved Places'?
Connectors like 'Paved Places' are usually too broad for Pinpoint. 'Places with Lanes' is a tighter, specific link that describes a unique feature of the infrastructure.
Is 'Alley' a synonym for lane?
In bowling, yes. The entire venue is an Alley, but the specific strip of wood you play on is the lane.