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

Home > Paradoxes
The two blacksmiths (Posted on 2003-03-17) Difficulty: 3 of 5
There's this town with two blacksmiths - one, a swordsmaker and the other, a shield maker. The swordsmaker's swords can slice through anything as a rule and the other guy's shields cannot be destroyed. Now they get cut up with each other for some reason and pit their wares against each other. What do you expect happens?

  Submitted by Gareth    
Rating: 3.0667 (15 votes)
Solution: (Hide)
In traditional logic this is an impossible scenario. A universe containing a sword that cuts through "anything" cannot also contain a shield that "nothing" can cut through. These two items are mutually exclusive.

Alan proposes an interesting alternate solution: the sword would be able to cut through the shield, but take an infinitely long time to do so (for example penetrating 50% in the first second, 25% more in the next, etc.)

Comments: ( You must be logged in to post comments.)
  Subject Author Date
Some ThoughtsPuzzle AnswerK Sengupta2023-11-22 08:17:16
an explanationjoshua2006-08-24 11:06:47
Some ThoughtsNot a Paradox!Kevin2006-07-15 22:09:55
No SubjectRachael2006-05-18 09:37:08
solution (maybe)Hal2006-04-22 15:17:57
mutual agreementdavid2006-03-09 00:50:15
No Subjectaaron2006-02-14 22:40:58
No SubjectAdam2005-12-22 00:11:46
re: ummm... solutionPaddy2005-12-21 07:37:24
QuestionWhat about this?Paddy2005-12-21 07:36:08
ummm... solutionsusan2005-10-15 07:53:02
solution?hookedonphonics2005-10-09 20:27:48
consider the followingJen2005-07-11 19:00:19
What rule?Amber2005-05-17 03:28:54
re: Zero Effect flawGareth2005-05-09 10:42:33
An Alternate Scenario1StokeD12005-04-03 15:18:02
SolutionThere are a few things on my mind...Stephen Ticsay2005-03-14 23:16:32
Zero Effect flawjosh2005-03-14 02:57:39
Haha I got it!!seikan2005-02-19 10:57:28
No Subjectmike wazio2004-10-26 02:59:20
WordingAdam2004-07-30 14:28:58
Semantics.Erik O.2004-06-14 13:09:27
interestinglogischer Verstand2004-04-16 23:18:22
Solutiondependslogischer Verstand2004-04-16 23:17:19
Zero effect replyGareth2004-03-17 12:08:03
guessPeter Lunts2004-02-10 08:45:12
Zero effectJack Squat2003-12-09 15:38:54
Hints/TipsBoth can coexistJack McBarn2003-12-08 10:53:07
hmmFraze2003-11-28 15:44:41
re: (about name changes)SilverKnight2003-11-26 23:00:40
(about name changes)Gamer2003-11-26 20:52:45
Questionre: 1=1 and 2=2SilverKnight2003-11-26 14:42:09
1=1 and 2=2Sam2003-11-26 14:31:15
Gareth and Vlad Unrelated to topicDennis2003-11-16 20:53:04
No Subjectvlad2003-10-09 10:40:09
re: Ideal answerYour buddy2003-08-20 15:55:47
spliting the sheildsnapp2003-08-20 14:15:12
re: somewhat of an answerGareth2003-07-26 04:10:44
Solutionsomewhat of an answerSam2003-06-23 15:00:18
skill?calla tah-n2003-05-23 11:04:00
No Subjectpleasance2003-05-14 03:09:49
Chaz, and What Could HappenBerry2003-05-10 02:36:08
SolutionChaz2003-05-03 08:28:58
quite simple reallyJon2003-04-14 08:16:41
request for clarificationBrian Allen2003-04-01 09:19:53
just a thoughtLinda2003-03-31 15:08:59
re: An infinite Struggleluvya20032003-03-27 13:56:26
Summary,ParadoxicalTim Axoy2003-03-24 07:23:36
Part 3,Moe against JoeTim Axoy2003-03-23 09:58:21
Part 2,Joe against MoeTim Axoy2003-03-23 09:57:23
Part 1,Joe's sword and Moe's shieldTim Axoy2003-03-23 09:54:38
re: An infinite StruggleAlan2003-03-22 05:30:03
An infinite StruggleBrian Nowell2003-03-21 19:05:58
re: ParadoxicalDJ2003-03-20 09:01:28
re: The Swordanton2003-03-20 08:41:51
ParadoxicalTim Axoy2003-03-20 06:08:00
re: Ideal answerslim shady2003-03-19 16:17:44
re: Ideal answerCrystal2003-03-19 07:32:51
Solutionsolution suggestionGeoff2003-03-17 16:08:07
guesssilvis2003-03-17 15:19:11
The SwordEric2003-03-17 14:50:30
Ideal answerAlan2003-03-17 10:50:17
My solutionBryan2003-03-17 10:17:13
re: Puff of logicGamer2003-03-17 08:59:05
Puff of logicEnder2003-03-17 07:35:14
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 (14)
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