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?
!@!!@!-------%$*$

For the first three matches I will replace the rope with equals:

*% = $ [1]
@ = !* [2]

$$$ = @@%%* [3]
from eq 1.
$$ = @@% [4]
from eq 2.
$$ = @!*% [5]
thus
$ = @! = !!* [6]
and
@! = *% [7]

Left side of last contest:
!@!!@!
=$$!!

Right side
%$*$
=$$$
=$$!!*

Thus the right side will win (that is the side on the right :)

Posted by ratsnstuff on 2003-10-09 10:06:44