I will answer my question myself: no. The same person can just get called back 23 times in a row and he would reach 23. No good.
another riddle anyone?? (Taoist, you ready for this one??)
- Thread starter KotysDad
- Start date
"Throw the left switch on your first trip. Notice the position of the switch AFTER your flip. Anytime you return and notice the left switch is different from this position, flip it and add 1 to your internal count. If it is the same as this position flip the right switch and add zero. When you get to 23 call the warden"
Please?
Please?
PerpetualCzech said:
PC,
Let me see if I understand what you're saying. If you go in and see the left switch is in the "off" position, then you are going to switch it to the "on" position and increment your counter by 1 every time after this that you notice it back in the "off" position. Then say I go in and flip it back to "off". If the warden keeps alternating you and me, and we keep flipping the same switch, then you will always see the "off" position, flip the switch,and increment your counter. Your counter will reach 23, but only two of us will have seen the switch room.
The main problem you need to fix is that your strategy only gives a plan to one prisoner. The others have no plan and you cant rely on them doing something at random. I think I said it right. Does that make sense??
That's no good either (2 people can just go in one after the other and eventually they will hit 23)
I think I got it now, but unfortunately I can't take credit for it. Full points goes to my non-MJ friend with whom I have been Iming with over the past 2 hours and he came up with this:
Designate one prisoner to be the Grand Poobah (GP) The GP is the only prisoner who is allowed to flip the left switch from the down position to the up position All other prisoners follow this rule:
If the left switch is in the up position, flip it to the down position. If it is in the down position, flip the right switch. If you have flipped the switch twice previously then never flip it again ever.
The GB follows the following rule:
If the left switch is in the down position, flip it up and add 1 to your internal count. If it is in the up position, flip it down.
Once the GB reaches 43 then he can go the warden!
I think I got it now, but unfortunately I can't take credit for it. Full points goes to my non-MJ friend with whom I have been Iming with over the past 2 hours and he came up with this:
Designate one prisoner to be the Grand Poobah (GP) The GP is the only prisoner who is allowed to flip the left switch from the down position to the up position All other prisoners follow this rule:
If the left switch is in the up position, flip it to the down position. If it is in the down position, flip the right switch. If you have flipped the switch twice previously then never flip it again ever.
The GB follows the following rule:
If the left switch is in the down position, flip it up and add 1 to your internal count. If it is in the up position, flip it down.
Once the GB reaches 43 then he can go the warden!
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I'll give you fellas a hint. I'm bettin' that the solution to the problem perhaps lies in the unscrewing of one of the lightbulbs...
Neemer said:
I like the way you guys try to think outside the box. But PC has the correct solution with 43 and the strategy is correct.