Can anyone solve this riddle using programming softwares?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a riddle involving the connection of three black boxes to three red boxes without any intersecting lines. Participants explore whether this problem can be solved using programming software, considering both theoretical and practical implications.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that the problem is unsolvable in two dimensions, referencing similar problems like the Water, Gas, and Electricity problem.
  • Others question the feasibility of the connections, emphasizing that lines cannot pass through the red boxes.
  • A participant suggests that solving the riddle algorithmically is akin to guessing a password, requiring a method to test all possible paths without interaction.
  • One participant proposes that using three dimensions or a toroidal surface might allow for a solution, while another argues that it is easy to demonstrate that no solution exists in standard dimensions.
  • Some express frustration at the lack of a definitive algorithmic solution, while others provide a sample C code that claims to analyze the problem, concluding that no solutions exist.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on the solvability of the riddle, with some asserting it is unsolvable in two dimensions and others proposing alternative approaches or dimensions that might allow a solution. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the use of software for this problem.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the assumptions about dimensionality and the specific requirements for the connections between boxes, which are not universally agreed upon. The discussion also reflects varying interpretations of the problem's constraints.

Basimalasi
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Hello computer science people,

riddle me this... you have three black boxes and three red boxes. You want to connect each black box with the three red boxes without making the lines interact with each other. can you do it ? or is it unsolvable ?

Like this :


N1Se020.png
 
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I've seen this many times in the past. To the best of my recollection, it is unsolvable (in two dimensions).
 
Is this possible ? there is no cut.
 

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skeptic2 said:
Like this?
I don't think this meets the requirements of a direct link between each red box with each black box, and vice versa. This might not have been stated in the OP but I believe that is what is implied.
 
Basimalasi said:
Hello computer science people,

riddle me this... you have three black boxes and three red boxes. You want to connect each black box with the three red boxes without making the lines interact with each other. can you do it ? or is it unsolvable ?
Why would you want to use software to solve this puzzle?
 
Mark44 said:
Why would you want to use software to solve this puzzle?

Try designing a complex multi-layer printed circuit board without using a computer track routing algorithm. :smile:
 
skeptic2 said:
Like this?

nope
 
  • #10
Mark44 said:
Why would you want to use software to solve this puzzle?

because i think its unsolvable
 
  • #11
solving this riddle is like guessing a 6-charechters password..you have to have an algorithm that will test all the possible paths the 9 arrows are going to take from the black boxes to the red boxes without interacting
 
  • #12
Medicol said:
Is this possible ? there is no cut.

you can't make the lines go "through" the red boxes.

3 arrows from the first black box to all red boxes
3 arrows from the second black box to all red boxes
3 arrows from the third black box to all red boxes

without no interaction between the lines
 
  • #13
Unless you use three dimensions - or the surface of a donut - it's easy to show that there is no solution.
Here is a link: http://mathforum.org/dr.math/faq/faq.3utilities.html
Since it's not possible, there is no point is having a computer search for one.
 
  • #14
I know this stupid of me and a waste of your time guys but I can't be satisfied without an algorithm that would test all the possibilities
 
  • #15
Code:
while there_exist_more_possibilities(); do test_next_possibility();

I don't have much time to waste, so I am not going much deeper. That's your algorithm, just fill in details.
 
  • #16
Basimalasi said:
I know this stupid of me and a waste of your time guys but I can't be satisfied without an algorithm that would test all the possibilities
I understand. You trust computers more than people.
Here's a more detailed algorithm. In fact, it's actual C code:
Code:
//  For an explanation of why this algorithm works, see:
//    http://mathforum.org/dr.math/faq/faq.3utilities.html
#include <stdio.h>
void main(void) {
printf(“Results from analysis of Red/Black box riddle: No solutions exist!\n");
}
Try it out and let me know if it finds anything.
 
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