question and answer thread.

I'm really sorry to have caused all this commotion! Since the majority of people here are on a different time schedule than me, the next time I answer a question I'll say "toss up" or something. Then the next person to post (anyone) can ask the next question, so you don't have to wait for me! But anyway, here's my question:

Ari Gant turned to Shadow and said, "You must have seen the notice in the elevator that the gas and power would be turned off from midnight until six this morning. The problem is that burglars also read these notices. Anyway, I woke up at ten to six and thought I heard somebody in my apartment. I lit a candle and checked around but didn't see anything unusual. Just then, the power came on, so I decided to shower and go to the office early. I was in the shower for maybe two minutes when I heard another strange noise. I peered around the shower curtain and saw a man walk past the bathroom door. I couldn't make him out clearly because of the steam but I think he wore the coveralls of one of the crew who was working in the building. The bottom line is," shouted Ari, "my priceless coin collection is missing!" "That story is a lie!" shouted Shadow. Why?

Just a guess - but would there be no steam if the power and gas had been off for that length of time?

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Originally posted by John E
would there be no steam if the power and gas had been off for that length of time?

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Yeah, I thought that one might be too easy... I'll have to pick a harder one next time, which will be never ;)! Please tell me you had to think for at least five seconds...:( Anyway, SeventhStar, you should reward a point to John E, and John E ask away!

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Originally posted by solarflare
....and John E ask away!

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Okay solarflare - but be warned, it's WAAYYY past bedtime in the UK so you won't be getting any response from me for at least 8 hours!!

Mr. Smith, Mr. Jones and Mr. Robinson all turn up for a job interview at the same time. The interviewer shows them into his office and says, "Listen, fellas - I'm hopeless at conducting interviews so I'd like to test you on your intelligence. In my drawer I have five coloured discs; 3 x white and 2 x black. If you all turn around and shut your eyes I'll put one coloured disc (black or white) on everyone's back. The first person who can tell me what colour disc he's got and why will get the job. There are a couple of rules though. You mustn't look at the disc. You mustn't help each other and you mustn't guess."

The interviewees all agree to this and turn around and shut their eyes. To be fair, the interviewer places a white disc on everyone's back and hides the black ones where they can't be found. They all open their eyes and start mulling the situation over. Each can see the other discs but not his own. They all want the job of course, so they wouldn't help each other anyway. A long time passes, after which Mr. Smith announces "I've got a white disc on my back." How did he know?

First, he knew it wasn't 2 black and one white, because the man with the white would have seen the 2 black and knew his had to be white.

Now it was generally established as fact among the men (each having independently discovered this) that there must be one or zero black disks in total.

If somebody had seen a black and a white disk, they would have known that their back contained a white disk (remember, the possibility of both black disks has been ruled out). Since nobody answered at this point, nobody must have seen a black disk.

Since nobody saw a black disk, all the disks used must have been white. Therefore, Mr. Smith knew he (like the others) had a white disk on his back. By the way, what job was this for???:confused::confused::rolleyes::rolleyes:

If this is the correct answer (and I think it is), if John confirms it to be correct, somebody else should ask a question (read my previous post as to why).

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Originally posted by John E
One more thing.... Not quite sure about the impeachment rule. What would be deemed as valid reasons for the 5 players to reject the question? Too hard? Too easy? Too many possible answers? If so, why should the asker get a point?

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Imeant to say that in this case the asker doesn't receive a point.

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Originally posted by solarflare
If this is the correct answer (and I think it is), if John confirms it to be correct, somebody else should ask a question (read my previous post as to why).

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I also think it's correct and since solarflare passed the right then:

I move with a speed of 1 minute per minute (thats right)! I'm surrownded by mirrors and every time that I look to my right, I see my reflection 5 meters away. Every time I look to my left I see my reflection 365 meteres away. How long would it take me to pass 100 meters?

If solarflare's solve is wrong I withdraw my question :D

Score:
1. Simon, Gabriel and solarflare - 2pts
2. Saturno, Elrond, John E and me (SeventhStar) - 1pt

asker:
SeventhStar

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Originally posted by SeventhStar
If solarflare's solve is wrong I withdraw my question :D

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No, you can keep your question. Solarflare's third statement is the correct answer. The important bit in the question is that it takes a long time for Smith to work out the problem. This is important because, if any of the men could see a black disc, he would soon realise that he couldn't also have a black disc - otherwise the third man would have gone up straight away to claim the job. Because some time has passed without anyone claiming the job, nobody must be able to see a black disc. Therefore they must all have white discs. Well Done!

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Originally posted by SeventhStar
I move with a speed of 1 minute per minute (thats right)! I'm surrownded by mirrors and every time that I look to my right, I see my reflection 5 meters away. Every time I look to my left I see my reflection 365 meteres away. How long would it take me to pass 100 meters?

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My answer - which admittedly, sound bizarre - is 63.66 hours (just under 3,820 minutes). If that's right, I'll explain my logic - if not, I won't embarrass myself!!! :o :o

By my calcualtions this is not right ;)
but if you explain me your logic in a PM, i may find a mistake in my calculations :rolleyes: Do that.
Although I think it's wrong.

Okay SeventhStar, it's on its way. I seemed to have some difficulty sending it though so let me know if you don't receive it.

Cheers,

John

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Originally posted by John E
Mr. Smith, Mr. Jones and Mr. Robinson all turn up for a job interview at the same time. The interviewer shows them into his office and says, "Listen, fellas - I'm hopeless at conducting interviews so I'd like to test you on your intelligence. In my drawer I have five coloured discs; 3 x white and 2 x black. If you all turn around and shut your eyes I'll put one coloured disc (black or white) on everyone's back. The first person who can tell me what colour disc he's got and why will get the job. There are a couple of rules though. You mustn't look at the disc. You mustn't help each other and you mustn't guess."

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Where did I see that one before? :D

The linkmaster strikes again.

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Originally posted by SeventhStar
I move with a speed of 1 minute per minute (thats right)!

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That's wrong. And thats right is wrong too. To not be wrong, it should be that's right. :D

At least if you know what I mean. :p

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Originally posted by SeventhStar
I move with a speed of 1 minute per minute (thats right)!

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That is 1/60 circle degrees per minute. You move on a circle. All we need to know is the radius of the circle.

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I'm surrownded by mirrors and every time that I look to my right, I see my reflection 5 meters away. Every time I look to my left I see my reflection 365 meteres away. How long would it take me to pass 100 meters?

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If you move clockwise, the radius is 2.5 meters. If not, then it is 182.5 meters. Your problem has two solutions. I think I don't need to do the exact math, do I? :D