The Hatter, the Hare, the Rabbit, the Mouse, Alice and I met for a Tea Party. The table had two sides, with three chairs on each side, numbered like so:

Side A: 1 2 3
Side B: 6 5 4

Chair one was across from chair 6, chair 2 across from chair 5, etc. We would sit down one at a time, in any chair we choose. The first guest to sit down was called the first guest. After the second guest sat down, however, everyone moved clockwise to the next chair. This behavior was continued after the fourth and sixth guest sat down.

My question is, after everyone had been seated, where was I seated?

(1) The first guest sat in chair 1.
(2) The mouse sat down last.
(3) After the first time everyone moved, no one had been on side B yet.
(4) The Hatter and Alice choose the same starting chair.
(5) When I was in chair 1, the Rabbit was in chair 6.
(6) I started on side B, but didn't end there.
(7) The hare moved all three times.
(8) Alice ended up between the mouse and the hare.
(9) I sat down after the rabbit but before the hatter.
(10) The mouse sat down in an odd numbered chair.

Also, a bonus question. Who am I?

Hey everyone, Zipp here. Seems like my puzzle gave you all no trouble. I was pleased to see how many different methods people used to solve this one, from computer programs to good old "thinking it through."

As the solution seems to have been discovered, I will officially post it (though it's a long one, taking you through all the steps, and can be a bit confusing at times. Here's the solution seperated from that:

Hare sits in 1. Alice sits in 2. (Hare is now in 2, and Alice is now in 3) Rabbit sits in 5. I sit in 6. (Hare is now 3, Alice is 4, Rabbit is 6, I am 1). Hatter sits in 2. Mouse sits in 5. (Hare is now 4, Alice is 5, Rabbit is 1, I am 2, Hatter is 3, and Mouse is 6) I was sitting in chair 2.

Finally, I was doubly pleased to see that some of you guessed the identity of "me." I am a little curious as to how, though I figured the answer would strike some as obvious.

Anyways, maybe I'll post another puzzle in a month or so. I hope you all enjoyed this one.

Zipp Dementia

Posted by Zipp Dementia on 2005-05-23 21:35:35