A discrete mathematics question about logic?

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a scenario with spies on planet X who are captured and must determine if all of them have been inspected at least once. The context is rooted in logic and discrete mathematics, focusing on the implications of communication and strategy under constraints.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss potential strategies for the spies to determine if all have been inspected, considering different initial conditions regarding the lamp's state. Questions arise about the relevance of the lamp and the implications of the problem's premise.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring various interpretations of the problem. Some express skepticism about the execution premise, while others seek clarification on the problem's requirements and guidelines for responses.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted ambiguity regarding the execution condition, as some participants question the logic of the scenario given that no one dies on planet X. Additionally, the initial state of the lamp is a point of contention in developing a strategy.

sinashan
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Hey guys
here is the question i'd appreciate if you could help me with it:
it says that no one dies in planet X,some spies of planet Y were captured by planet X's police.They are so professional that won't say anything to police so their inspection will go on forever and their inspection has no order.
In the inspection room there is only a lamp with a key on the wall and just the spies can turn it on and off(not the police)
Police has one condition to let the spies go:if any of them says that all spies have been inspected at least one they'll be free and if he's wrong they'll all be executed!
Suppose that you are one of those spies and you make a plan with your friends that one of the spies can find out if all of them have been inspected at least once.what will your plan be if:
a)you know that the lamp was off at first
b)don't know whether the lamp was on or off
also you make all your plans before getting captured and after that you have no conncetion to your friends.
///////////////
again thank you for your help it's a question related to logic in discrete mathematics
 
Physics news on Phys.org
sinashan said:
Hey guys
here is the question i'd appreciate if you could help me with it:
it says that no one dies in planet X,some spies of planet Y were captured by planet X's police.They are so professional that won't say anything to police so their inspection will go on forever and their inspection has no order.
In the inspection room there is only a lamp with a key on the wall and just the spies can turn it on and off(not the police)
Police has one condition to let the spies go:if any of them says that all spies have been inspected at least one they'll be free and if he's wrong they'll all be executed!
Suppose that you are one of those spies and you make a plan with your friends that one of the spies can find out if all of them have been inspected at least once.what will your plan be if:
a)you know that the lamp was off at first
b)don't know whether the lamp was on or off
also you make all your plans before getting captured and after that you have no conncetion to your friends.
///////////////
again thank you for your help it's a question related to logic in discrete mathematics

Show your work.
 
Ray Vickson said:
Show your work.
what do you mean?
 
sinashan said:
what do you mean?

What I mean is explained thoroughly in topic 4 of the "pinned" Post "Guidelines for Students and Helpers", by Vela. It appears at the top of the topic listings in the Forum.
 
No one dies on planet X though. I don't see why anyone is getting executed in the first place, even if they did lie.

Seems fishy.
 
Zondrina said:
No one dies on planet X though. I don't see why anyone is getting executed in the first place, even if they did lie.

Seems fishy.
no they were spying that's because they're going to be executed.although i think the first sentence of problem is just a distraction
 
What in the world does the lamp have to do with anything?
 

Similar threads

[Discrete] Prove that |nZ| = |Z| for any postive integer n
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Stochastic mathematics in application to finance
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
2K
Undergrad Translate compound proposition p → q (implication) to p↓q question
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Discrete Mathematics logic questions
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Is mathematics invented or discovered?
  • · Replies 64 ·
3
Replies
64
Views
3K
Discrete Mathematics - Logics Puzzles
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
12K
Graduate What are your insights on The Hardest Logic Puzzle Ever?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Undergrad Help understanding Big O notation
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
7K
Reliability of LLM for generating examples in mathematics
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
2K
High School Questions about mathematics as a deductive system
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K