It was logical that four asian countries (Japan, Korea, Laos and Malaysia) should be the judo finalists, but I couldn’t learn the relative standings.

A reporter told me “Laos won silver, and/or Malaysia won bronze.” Other reporter added “Japan won gold, and/or Korea won bronze.” A third one added “Laos won gold, and/or Japan won silver.”

I couldn’t make heads or tails out of this, until I remembered that in judo, two bronze medals are awarded. Which were the standings?

Each reporter has at least one correct comment.  Reporter #1's comment that Laos won silver is negated by either of R#3 comments one of which is correct.  Therefore R#1 second comment is correct (Maylasia wins bronze).   Likewise R#2 cannot have Japan win gold as again both of R#3's comments contradict it and at least one of R#3's comments is true.  Therefore #2's second comment is correct (Korea wins bronze).  Since Laos didn't win silver nor Japan the gold (these were both negated) Then it is Laos with the gold and Japan with silver making R#3's both comments correct.

Posted by nancy on 2004-09-01 15:55:59