Brain Teasers are Back!

Well, as I said before (and as others have said in the other thread) the picture on its own, is perhaps somewhat inadequate.

But I do think your assumptions, that they will die if they fall down; and the saws will cut the branches; and there is no lake beneath them; nor an airbag; and that the tree is wood and not hard stone … make the task a little easier to resolve … assuming that the event takes place in the EU (including the UK) and not in some other place where muderers are totured before death …in which case No.3 doesn’t look too clever !

No more than number 3…

Do you mean “No more than No.2” ?

Suppose you were in a TV show, in front of three doors. Behind one door was a shiny new car, and the remaining two doors had a goat hiding behind. So one car, two goats. You choose a door, and immediately the host, who can see behind the doors, opens one of the remaining doors, where you see a goat. The host then asks you whether you’d like to stay with your original choice or switch. What would you do?

Should you switch or stay with your original choice??

Yes, no more than 2.

I think we’ve had this one on the old forum.
Your original door gives a 1/3 chance for the car, the other two 2/3. These 2/3 are now “transferred” to the remaining other door. Therefore changing doors is the way to go.

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Ah !
But No.3 is attempting “double” muder. No.2 is only attempting a "single " murder.
The torture will be far, far worse for No.3

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Yes, Mulberry, “changing” doors is the way to go. Gives you a 2/3 probability of winning. Not changing simply gives you the original 1/3 probability. I noticed Collywobbles “liked” you response, so i’m guessing he agrees with you ? I certainly do.

When people ask me to clarify this (ie the non-believers, so to speak) I usually can convince them that if they were allowed to select TWO doors at the start, they would have a 2/3 chance to win.

Now all they have to do is “force” the host to open THOSE two doors.

Suppose you chose doors A and B (but don’t tell anybody). Just tell the host you want him to open Door C. He won’t, he will open Door A or B. That’s ONE of your chosen doors already opened. Suppose he opened Door A for you.

Now all you have to do is get him to open Door B. Easy. He actually asks you whether he should open Door B or C. You simply ask him to open Door B. OK, to him and the audience, it seems as if you changed you mind, but you know better, you didn’t. You had already decided to choose Doors A and B and that is what you’ve achieved.

Result. 2/3 probability of winning.

Nice teaser Collywobbles.

Ah, but the host can see behind the doors, so knows what is behind the one you have picked. And he has given you a second choice, suggesting…

I think the tree and saw challenge points more towards how we each perceive reality and truth. So, there is no correct answer as such, just what we each perceive as being correct in our own context.

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Yep, that’s my take as well mike.

But it’s taking a bit of time to win FR around :sunglasses:

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A few years ago (probably more like 20), I wrote an Excel program to simulate the Monty Hall game.

“Changing your mind” gets a 2/3 probability,. “Sticking” gets 1/3.

Actually, about 30 trial runs at home, with friends, delivers this 2/3 and 1/3 result.

Monty Hall stopped the show once participants had cottoned on to the probabilities.

I still find it counter-intuitive !!!

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But did Monty ever only give someone a second choice if there first choice was the car?

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Mike , I don’t tell you are wrong. However on another thread I understood that you said you agree with me on the No1. He stays calm, observing, but seems not aware of the danger coming.
No4 is depressed, No2 and No3 are nasty, suicidal or also stupid.
The more clear stupid one is No1.

I think he always offered the opportunity to change. That was the tension highlight of the show !

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Not at all. No.3 is the most stupid because of the reasons I quoted :sunglasses:

It could be argued that number 1 could save all lives, if he chooses, but doesn’t, and is therefore the most stupid.

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Fair point Mike… but …

I’m not convinced that a simple “I say chaps, would you all mind awfully if I asked you to stop sawing for a moment” would work :sunglasses:

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Maybe no.1 is most stupid for going up first without a saw?

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You’re almost beginning to convince me !

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