There is a tug-o-war competition consisting of rounds upon round that all end in a draw meaning both sides end in equal strength. There are several people of exactly equal strength and are represented by the same symbol. (i.e. all * pull the same, but a * and a @ must be different) Each team is representeed by a series of symbols followed by a dashed line being the rope. On the other side of the rope is the team that was equally matched in strength. Here are some of those rounds:
*%-----$
$$$-------@%*%@
@-------!*
Again remembering that ll of the above are ties, and assume that position on the rope doesn't matter, who will win the following match?
!@!!@!-------%$*$

$ = *%
$$$ = @%*%@
@ = !*

Then:
$$$ = !*%*%!*
$$$ = $$!!*
$ = !!* = %*
!! = %

The solution:
!@!!@! <> %*$$
!!*!!*!! <> $$$
$$!! <> $$$
!! <> $

Knowing that !!* = $ then !! < $

Posted by Hank on 2003-06-23 05:00:47