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All dogs are the same color! (Posted on 2003-05-30) Difficulty: 3 of 5
Find the mistake in the following proof that all dogs are the same color (if there's any):

Let's use induction. Consider groups of 1 dog. All dogs of every group are the same color, of course. So we now that it's true for 1. Suppose it's true for groups of k dogs, i.e. every group of k dogs are the same color. Then let's consider any group A of k+1 dogs. Consider a subgroup of A containing k dogs. Let's call x the dog in A but not in the subgroup. Then by induction, all dogs in the subgroup are the same color. Now consider a subroup of A of k dogs, with x in the subgroup. All dogs except for x are the same color. Then, since every group of k dogs are the same color (by induction), all dogs in A are the same color. So x and every dog are the same color.

See The Solution Submitted by Fernando    
Rating: 3.5000 (10 votes)

Comments: ( Back to comment list | You must be logged in to post comments.)
Some Thoughts Solution? Maybe... | Comment 8 of 23 |
I am completely lost, but maybe...well, why did they add one to k? There was no point, was there? If I'm wrong, could someone please explain this to me.
  Posted by Pickels on 2003-05-30 19:08:25
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