All about flooble | fun stuff | Get a free chatterbox | Free JavaScript | Avatars    
perplexus dot info

Home > Logic > Liars and Knights
As simple as it gets (Posted on 2006-09-02) Difficulty: 3 of 5
In Tripleland, natives always go in trios: a knight, a knave, and a liar.

Once I met such a trio, and I asked one of the natives a simple question ("simple" meaning, "of six words or less"); he answered, and I knew what type he was. Then, I asked another of the natives a different simple question; he answered, and I knew what type he was, and therefore, the type of the third one too.

"Logical" thinking: This cannot be. The natives could be in six possible orders. Two yes-no questions allow four combinations. Thus, you cannot pick one out of six with only two questions; you need one more!

How could this be? What's wrong with the reasoning above?

See The Solution Submitted by Federico Kereki    
Rating: 4.5000 (2 votes)

Comments: ( You must be logged in to post comments.)
  Subject Author Date
SolutionSolutionMath Man2012-10-20 16:35:00
re(3): Two waysDej Mar2006-09-02 22:19:28
re(2): Two waysCharlie2006-09-02 16:38:05
Hints/TipsIdea (no spoiler)Old Original Oskar!2006-09-02 16:03:38
Questionre: Two wayse.g.2006-09-02 13:06:33
SolutionTwo waysCharlie2006-09-02 11:52:38
Please log in:
Login:
Password:
Remember me:
Sign up! | Forgot password


Search:
Search body:
Forums (0)
Newest Problems
Random Problem
FAQ | About This Site
Site Statistics
New Comments (3)
Unsolved Problems
Top Rated Problems
This month's top
Most Commented On

Chatterbox:
Copyright © 2002 - 2024 by Animus Pactum Consulting. All rights reserved. Privacy Information