Sharon has a number of pairs of gloves of identical design, but of several (at least three) different colors. She has at least three pairs of each color. In the dark she can distinguish the handedness of a glove, but not its color. Unfortunately, she keeps the gloves jumbled up in a drawer in an unlit cellar.
Sharon knows that if she takes out 21 gloves, in the dark, she can be sure of getting at least one pair.
What is the maximum number of pairs of gloves that she could have?
(In reply to
re: Better than 28. by Richard)
That assumes drawing one of one hand and 20 of the other is the best method. There is a different distrubution of left/right which can do better than 28.
re(2): Better than 28.
