10 playing cards are placed face-down on a table, forming a circle.
Your are allowed to turn over simultaneously 4 cards that either:
a.)all 4 are consecutive,
or
b.) 2 are on the left and 2 on the right of any specific card chosen by you (i.e. out of 5 consecutive cards only the middle one remains unturned) .

By executing a final number of the above (a. or b.) procedures can you reach an "all face-up" state?

If yes, explain how.
Otherwise, prove why not.

(In reply to re: Unsatisfying computer proof by Steve Herman)

I've now corrected my statements.

Posted by Charlie on 2014-10-02 10:53:50