Heads I win, Tails you lose

Devantè · 2006-09-25 05:31:19

A game is played between Jacob and Jack with a single coin. If a coin is flipped and lands on heads, then Jacob wins. If a coin is flipped and lands on tails, then Jack loses. After 10 flips of the coin, Jacob always wins, and Jack always loses.

Is there a way for Jack to win in the game? If so, how? And why?

If you can answer that question, then proceed to questions b, c and d.

b) Is it possible that Jack doesn't lose? How?
c) Is it possible for a draw?
d) How can Jack and Jacob both lose without cheating?

espeon · 2006-09-25 06:33:28

a)get 2 of the same type of coins and stick them together using super super glue heads faced up.
b)no
c)if they both get 5 each

Devantè · 2006-09-25 06:38:20

I'm sorry, but all three of your answers are incorrect. Lets say that ∞ games are played.

Think again.

espeon · 2006-09-25 06:49:34

aw but a DOES work unless u get a blacksmith and then make him smelt the single coin with 2 head signs

Devantè · 2006-09-25 19:03:05

That is called cheating. Try to solve the puzzle with an ordinary coin, without altering the coin in any way.

justlookingforthemoment · 2006-09-25 19:42:20

Devante wrote:

.... heads, then Jacob wins ... tails, then Jack loses.

heads = Jacob wins
tails = Jacob wins

So, no.

espeon · 2006-09-26 03:18:15

thats a good point thats a trick question lol

Ricky · 2006-09-26 11:56:01

b) Is it possible that Jack doesn't lose? How?
c) Is it possible for a draw?
d) How can Jack and Jacob both lose without cheating?

b & c: Coin lands on it's side
d: They put the coin in a solt machine.

Devantè · 2006-09-26 18:02:02

Ricky wrote:

b & c: Coin lands on it's side
d: They put the coin in a solt machine.

B and C are indeed correct.

siva.eas · 2006-10-22 08:48:46

Could you answer the rest of the questions?

Devantè · 2006-10-25 05:08:26

Not yet, not until someone can come up with a really clever solution.

Ricky: About your answer to D; You're getting the correct concept of the solution (in other words, your close, in a way). Right, I'm not going to give out any more hints.

Ricky · 2006-10-25 05:37:44

They flip the coin and it goes down a storm drain.

Devantè · 2006-10-25 05:43:02

Well, actually there are several answers for this. You're right, in a sense, about saying how they could dispose of the coin. I'm going to give you my answer now.

My answer is that the coin will land on its side. When you think about it, isn't a draw almost the same as both sides losing?

Ricky · 2006-10-25 06:04:56

No.

Devantè · 2006-10-25 06:17:18

There are loads of arguments for this puzzle; The question is, which ones would be 'correct' in a sense?

Math Is Fun Forum

#1 2006-09-25 05:31:19

Heads I win, Tails you lose

#2 2006-09-25 06:33:28

Re: Heads I win, Tails you lose

#3 2006-09-25 06:38:20

Re: Heads I win, Tails you lose

#4 2006-09-25 06:49:34

Re: Heads I win, Tails you lose

#5 2006-09-25 19:03:05

Re: Heads I win, Tails you lose

#6 2006-09-25 19:42:20

Re: Heads I win, Tails you lose

#7 2006-09-26 03:18:15

Re: Heads I win, Tails you lose

#8 2006-09-26 11:56:01

Re: Heads I win, Tails you lose

#9 2006-09-26 18:02:02

Re: Heads I win, Tails you lose

#10 2006-10-22 08:48:46

Re: Heads I win, Tails you lose

#11 2006-10-25 05:08:26

Re: Heads I win, Tails you lose

#12 2006-10-25 05:37:44

Re: Heads I win, Tails you lose

#13 2006-10-25 05:43:02

Re: Heads I win, Tails you lose

#14 2006-10-25 06:04:56

Re: Heads I win, Tails you lose

#15 2006-10-25 06:17:18

Re: Heads I win, Tails you lose

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