In which scenario is this possible?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a brain teaser involving familial relationships and the conditions under which the scenario can be logically resolved without incest. Participants explore the implications of the terms used and the assumptions necessary to make sense of the riddle.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that the term "brother" must be interpreted as "half-brother" in at least one instance to resolve the riddle.
  • One participant suggests that if both individuals are half-brothers, the scenario becomes trivial, as it simplifies the relationships involved.
  • Another participant expresses concern that the solution feels too obvious, questioning the validity of the teaser as a challenging problem.
  • A later reply notes that all questions may seem trivial once an absolute answer is known, indicating a preference for more complex or ambiguous riddles.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the interpretation of "brother" as "half-brother" is necessary for the scenario to be possible, but there is disagreement on whether this makes the riddle trivial or still engaging.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully explored the implications of different familial structures or the definitions of relationships, which may affect the understanding of the riddle.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in logic puzzles, brain teasers, and discussions about familial relationships may find this thread engaging.

Werg22
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Here is a little brain teaser:

You are my brother, and your mother is my mother. However, your father is my son's brother. If no incest occurred, how is that situation possible?
 
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Werg22 said:
Here is a little brain teaser:

You are my brother, and your mother is my mother. However, your father is my son's brother. If no incest occurred, how is that situation possible?

First off, by "brother" you have to mean "half-brother" in at least one, if not both uses of the word. So, because it must mean "half-brother" in at least one, since your wording affords no difference between the two, then BOTH may be half brothers, making the problem trivial.

Imagine:

"MY MOTHER" and "MY FATHER" have a child, which is "ME".

"ME" and Pat have a child, "MY SON".

Pat and Terry have a child, "YOUR FATHER"

"YOUR FATHER" and "MY MOTHER" have a child, "YOU".
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DaveE
 
You are correct. It has to be assumed that they are half-brothers though since if they were real brothers it would make the scenario impossible.
 
I was wondering along those lines too, but it stretches my idea of a "valid" teaser, because the trick to it is so obvious while at the same time rendering the problem trivial.
 
All questions are trivial when you know an absolute answer.

What interests me is seeing a grey one though, food for thought, like "Einstein's" riddle.
 

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