This riddle has been around for some time on internet platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, and many people still argue over what the answer might be, as there are many possibilities. The correct answer is 40 socks. If he takes out 38 socks, although it is very unlikely, it is possible they could all be blue and red. To be 100 percent certain that he also has a pair of black socks he must take out a further two more socks.