How Many Birds Remain in the Tree After a Shot?

  • Thread starter Thread starter godsaveme
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a question involving two birds in a tree and a hunter shooting one. Participants explore the implications of the question, including how many birds remain in the tree and their status (dead or alive). The conversation touches on common-sense reasoning, interpretations of the word "shot," and the nature of judgment in uncertain scenarios.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the question is a trick question, with variations indicating that other birds may fly away after the shot.
  • Others argue that the interpretation of "shot" is crucial to determining the status of the remaining bird.
  • A participant notes that one could arrive at multiple answers (0, 1, or 2 birds) depending on the assumptions made about the situation.
  • There is mention of the uncertainty in judging whether the remaining bird is dead or alive, with a probabilistic approach suggested by one participant.
  • Some express confusion about the phrasing of the question and the implications of the hunter's action.
  • A humorous remark is made about the possibility of the hunter shooting with a camera instead of a gun.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the interpretation of the question or the number of birds remaining. Multiple competing views are presented, with uncertainty about the status of the birds and the implications of the hunter's action.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations in assumptions about the scenario, such as the definition of "shot" and the conditions under which birds might remain in the tree. The conversation reflects varying interpretations and the ambiguity inherent in the question.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in logic puzzles, common-sense reasoning, or the nuances of language in problem-solving may find this discussion relevant.

godsaveme
Messages
23
Reaction score
0
Question:

Two birds in the tree, the hunter shot one.

Ask:

How many birds in the tree?Live or die?

You need to determine the answer


I am a chinese,my english is poor.
This is a certainty and uncertainty question!
How to determine?
The number of birds,live or die?

Can somebody help me to translate chinese into english?
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
welcome to pf!

hi godsaveme! welcome to pf! :smile:

there are two birds in a tree, and a hunter shoots one

how many birds are there now in the tree, and are they dead or alive?​

this is a common-sense question, not a maths question! …

what do you think the answer is? :wink:
 
To me, it sounds like he is trying to articulate this trick question I've heard here and there in the past.

The question comes in various forms but basically is, 20 birds are in a tree. A hunter shoots one, how many are left?

The answer is that only one is left, the dead one. The others have flown off at the sound of the gun shot.
 


tiny-tim said:
hi godsaveme! welcome to pf! :smile:

there are two birds in a tree, and a hunter shoots one

how many birds are there now in the tree, and are they dead or alive?​

this is a common-sense question, not a maths question! …

what do you think the answer is? :wink:


When a bird in the tree, how do you determine that it is dead or alive?
 
that means:How do change twice judge or even several times to judge into the first judgment
 
Last edited by a moderator:
When a bird is in the tree, how do you determine whether it is dead or alive?​

That depends on what the word "shot" means in the original question.
 
You didn't say what the hunter shot. "The hunter shot one." One what? One giraffe? There are two birds in the tree as per your definition.
 


you can say,there are 0,1,2 birds in the tree
but when there is one bird in the tree ,you can not sure it is dead or alive.

you get three answers of this question,
but we get four answers,that means You have been misled by the figures
 
Last edited by a moderator:


and we can sure
but how?
 
  • #10
made it to die
 
  • #11
when there are many birds in the tree,how can you judge?
we judge only once
 
  • #12
This question is a problem of different points
 
Last edited:
  • #13
lol, they both die... eventually
 
  • #14
Did the hunter shoot one with a camera :wink:
 
  • #15
Can anyone tell me, how can I do?
Because i am from china,and my english is poor.
Do knowledge borders?
 
  • #16
when there is one bird in the tree,how can you judge it is dead or alive?
You have a 50% probability of guessing right
If you're lucky,you will be right.Otherwise, you're wrong.
 
  • #17
Is this science?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
6K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K