Riddle

Daniel123 · 2007-05-23 20:34:13

You are on a desert island.

The only way off is by speed boat, for which you do not have the keys.

There are two other people on the island, each with a box. In one of their boxes are the keys to the speed boat. In the other's box is a deadly snake that will kill you instantly.

One of these people always tells the truth, and the other always lies (but you do not know which one is which, but they do know)

What one question can you ask one of them to find out which box the keys are in?

JaneFairfax · 2007-05-23 21:26:29

Ah, another variation of the original Lewis Carroll problem. The trick is always to play them off against each other.

You ask either one of them: Will the other person say they have the keys to the boat?

If the answer is yes, that person will have the keys, otherwise the other person has them.

Last edited by JaneFairfax (2007-05-23 22:05:52)

Daniel123 · 2007-05-23 21:33:20

:):)

Another little one... not very difficult though and im not sure but it might be quite common:

A man is found in a completely empty room, with no windows or doors. He is hanging from a rope attached to the ceiling, with his feet obviously off the ground . There is a puddle of water on the floor.

How did he manage to hang himself?

OOH i liked the little table... never thought of looking at it like that before.

Last edited by Daniel123 (2007-05-23 21:34:17)

JaneFairfax · 2007-05-23 21:47:55

Was he standing on a block of ice?

Last edited by JaneFairfax (2007-05-23 23:28:39)

Daniel123 · 2007-05-23 21:57:46

He was

mathsyperson · 2007-05-23 21:57:52

Daniel123 wrote:

:):)
A man is found in a completely empty room, with no windows or doors.

How?

Daniel123 · 2007-05-23 22:03:31

lol! well... erm... maybe the room was built around him??

Daniel123 · 2007-05-23 22:07:45

JaneFairfax... just wondering... what sort of level are you at in maths? i mean university etc?

JaneFairfax · 2007-05-23 22:37:02

Yes, I have a university degree BSc 2(i) Honours in Pure Mathematics from the University of London (I attended Queen Mary & Westfield College (now called simply Queen Mary) then). Still, I acquired most of my mathematical knowledge through learning on my own, either before I started my university course or after I graduated. I always prefer to learn things on my own, and when it comes to sticking to a schedule (like attending lectures) I am apt to fail in the most miserable way possible.

I got my degree in 1994. Since then I have been (and am still) wondering what to do with it.

lightning · 2007-05-24 07:22:07

JaneFairfax wrote:

I got my degree in 1994.

WOW thats older than me i'm guessing you about 20, 21 22 maybe.

Maelwys · 2007-05-24 07:32:33

lightning wrote:

JaneFairfax wrote:
I got my degree in 1994.
WOW thats older than me i'm guessing you about 20, 21 22 maybe.

I think you need to practice your math a bit more... ;-) She got her university degree in 1994, so if she's 22, that means she got it when she was 9 years old. Somehow I have to expect she's a little older than that. (sorry Jane, not to harp about a woman's age, just couldn't let this "math" go uncorrected)
Of course, I'm sure she looks 21... ;-) (okay, done sucking up now)

lightning · 2007-05-24 07:35:56

ok 31-35 tops

JaneFairfax · 2007-05-24 20:36:48

I am 38.

Zach · 2007-05-25 01:48:53

Daniel123 wrote:

You are on a desert island.
The only way off is by speed boat, for which you do not have the keys.
There are two other people on the island, each with a box. In one of their boxes are the keys to the speed boat. In the other's box is a deadly snake that will kill you instantly.
One of these people always tells the truth, and the other always lies (but you do not know which one is which, but they do know)
What one question can you ask one of them to find out which box the keys are in?

Punch one of them in the face. Then ask the other one which has the key in. Check the boxes depending on the reaction from punching they guy in the face.

That guy down there wrote:

A man is found in a completely empty room, with no windows or doors. He is hanging from a rope attached to the ceiling, with his feet obviously off the ground . There is a puddle of water on the floor.
How did he manage to hang himself?

He could fly.

LQ · 2007-05-25 02:16:41

This is what you do. Point at the woods and say "LION!", the blue eyed chmucks will run away Collect alot of wood, and put on the 2 boxes. pour your last liqour on them, take a pair of stones and ignite. the snake will now burn, but the speed boat keys remain intact. take the snake as provision, but be sure to cut of the head and take the key from the other box. Insert key in little hole and try 2 get as far away from the boat owner as possible. after all, he had a deadly snake. Then call for aid on the radio.

Math Is Fun Forum

#1 2007-05-23 20:34:13

Riddle

#2 2007-05-23 21:26:29

Re: Riddle

#3 2007-05-23 21:33:20

Re: Riddle

#4 2007-05-23 21:47:55

Re: Riddle

#5 2007-05-23 21:57:46

Re: Riddle

#6 2007-05-23 21:57:52

Re: Riddle

#7 2007-05-23 22:03:31

Re: Riddle

#8 2007-05-23 22:07:45

Re: Riddle

#9 2007-05-23 22:37:02

Re: Riddle

#10 2007-05-24 07:22:07

Re: Riddle

#11 2007-05-24 07:32:33

Re: Riddle

#12 2007-05-24 07:35:56

Re: Riddle

#13 2007-05-24 20:36:48

Re: Riddle

#14 2007-05-25 01:48:53

Re: Riddle

#15 2007-05-25 02:16:41

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