Monday 9 May 2011

The Hardest Logic Puzzle Ever

This is how I pass the time while gaurding:

The Hardest Logic Puzzle Ever

Three gods A, B, and C are called, in no particular order, True, False, and Random. True always speaks truly, False always speaks falsely, but whether Random speaks truly or falsely is a completely random matter. Your task is to determine the identities of A, B, and C by asking three yes-no questions; each question must be put to exactly one god. The gods understand English, but will answer all questions in their own language, in which the words for yes and no are da and ja, in some order. You do not know which word means which.


I spent a lot of time on this last time I was on gaurd duty and, while it appears there is a solution, I have yet to reach it. And of course I daren't just read it: that'd ruin everything. In the meantime, here are my attempts to think in an organised manner, complete with delightful illustrations:
 


And now I'm off to gaurd. Maybe this time I'll get it.