What are some examples of challenging logical puzzles and questions?

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The discussion revolves around a series of brain teasers and logic puzzles shared by a forum member, inviting others to participate in solving them. The puzzles often involve scenarios with multiple potential answers, but the focus is on finding the most logical or unique solution. One notable puzzle involves a man hiking who finds two dead men in a cabin, prompting various guesses about their cause of death. Another puzzle features two men ordering identical drinks, where one survives and the other dies, leading to creative answers involving alcohol poisoning and other theories. Participants engage actively, offering various solutions and debating their validity, with some answers being deemed more satisfactory than others based on logical reasoning. The thread also includes a competitive element, with members earning points for their contributions and a leaderboard reflecting their standings. As the puzzles progress, the complexity increases, leading to discussions about assumptions and the nature of logic in problem-solving. The conversation highlights the importance of critical thinking and creativity in approaching seemingly straightforward questions.
  • #101
I get 2 attempts to answer right?

2nd answer:
Construct a box with a time lock such that it only opens after 5 days. Put a key in the time locked box and send it to you're friend. Repeat until you friend reports reciept of the box within 5 days. Then send the box locked by the key that was safely sent.
 
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  • #102
Send the box unlocked and with no keys in it.
 
  • #103
neu said:
I get 2 attempts to answer right?

2nd answer:
Construct a box with a time lock such that it only opens after 5 days. Put a key in the time locked box and send it to you're friend. Repeat until you friend reports reciept of the box within 5 days. Then send the box locked by the key that was safely sent.

Unrealistic answer.You method would cost him more than he can afford.:smile:

Seems you wasted all your energy in arguing with me and proving me wrong.Wake up!

Also, nobody gets to answer twice from now on.


Answer Discarded.
 
  • #104
jimmysnyder said:
Send the box unlocked and with no keys in it.

Sleeping or what?
Read my question again friend.Your item would be stolen.
 
  • #105
The valuable item is gold. Mold it into the shape of a key and send it in an unlocked box. The interceptor will copy the key, but so what?
 
  • #106
The thing that weirds me out about this puzzle is that the interceptor can copy the key, but apparently must deliver the package as they found it. Unless the valuable object can be released from its box in which case they don't have to. Bizarre. But under those conditions there is a solution. Send a locked box with the valuable in it and no key. As there is no key to be copied, the interceptor sends it on to the friend. Then send the key in an unlocked box. The interceptor can make a copy of it, but it does them no good because the locked box is already in the hands of the friend.
 
  • #107
jimmysnyder said:
The valuable item is gold. Mold it into the shape of a key and send it in an unlocked box. The interceptor will copy the key, but so what?

Who in the world told you the valuable item is gold?
It can be anything, take the case of generality, do not mould the question according to your wishes.If you repeat this mistake, you will be debarred from the contest.

A skilled thief does not need to know rocket science to determine that the moulded item is gold.

Answer discarded.
 
  • #108
jimmysnyder said:
The thing that weirds me out about this puzzle is that the interceptor can copy the key, but apparently must deliver the package as they found it. Unless the valuable object can be released from its box in which case they don't have to. Bizarre. But under those conditions there is a solution. Send a locked box with the valuable in it and no key. As there is no key to be copied, the interceptor sends it on to the friend. Then send the key in an unlocked box. The interceptor can make a copy of it, but it does them no good because the locked box is already in the hands of the friend.

Too many complexities.Diverting the thread from a simple puzzle to a complex trend uselessly.
It does not matter to you , it matters for the interceptor.

Answer discarded.
 
  • #109
DaveC426913 said:
I am going to propose that the fact that there are multiple locks and multiple keys points us towards a solution of the 'Towers of Hanoi' type, or erphaps more appropriately, a farmer/wolf/sheep/plant crossing a river solution.

This is only a nominally altruistic gesture; if anyone gets the answer, I want partial credit.

Sir,
Please do not provide hints for the puzzle.Either provide the complete solution or do not participate.

I SAY THIS WITH COMPLETE RESPECT AND COURTESY.
 
  • #110
jimmysnyder said:
The thing that weirds me out about this puzzle is that the interceptor can copy the key, but apparently must deliver the package as they found it. Unless the valuable object can be released from its box in which case they don't have to. Bizarre. But under those conditions there is a solution. Send a locked box with the valuable in it and no key. As there is no key to be copied, the interceptor sends it on to the friend. Then send the key in an unlocked box. The interceptor can make a copy of it, but it does them no good because the locked box is already in the hands of the friend.

Actually, it was my assumption that this is the inspiration for the correct answer. The nature of the puzzle indicates that an interceptor can copy keys but that will not stop the box from being transferred. Ultimately then, the valuable must get to the recipient, despite the fact that the interceptor has certain keys - which implies those keys are useless to him.

I am surprised Jimmy's answer was rejected, since it will work, given the parameters of the puzzle.
 
  • #111
physixguru said:
Sir,
Please do not provide hints for the puzzle.Either provide the complete solution or do not participate.

I SAY THIS WITH COMPLETE RESPECT AND COURTESY.

Apologies. Post removed. (though you've posted it in your own post).
 
  • #112
Send the box with a lock, then get your friend to add his own lock and send it back to you. You can then remove your lock and send the parcel back.
 
  • #113
physixguru said:
As usual Borek, it seems you have not read the question carefully.It says that if you send the keys in an unlocked box, it can be copied en-route.

You have accused me of not reading the question, but you have failed to explain why my answer is wrong. Aim is to protect the item, not to make it impossible to copy the key. Even if thief copied the key, he is unable to open the box and steal the item.
 
  • #114
Kurdt said:
Send the box with a lock, then get your friend to add his own lock and send it back to you. You can then remove your lock and send the parcel back.

Kurdt strikes.Excellent work.:cool:

But Kurdt , it was your second attempt, and i have to say with due respect that please do not post your answers twice.This forces me to dicard the question.

Question discarded.

Question closed.
 
  • #115
Apologies, but I only noticed that you imposed only one attempt in the middle of the question. :-p
 
  • #116
Foul! The parameters of the puzzle - to which you said "do not mould the question according to your wishes" - did not include our friend having his own set of locks and keys!
 
  • #117
DaveC426913 said:
Foul! The parameters of the puzzle - to which you said "do not mould the question according to your wishes" - did not include our friend having his own set of locks and keys!
Read my question again, it says that the box has multiple locks.Ofcourse the answer is most satisfactory of all the other answers with no complexities.Even a lay-man would possesses locks and keys.Very general assumption.

I have already mentioned that i am not going to entertain any conflicts on the answers.
Once said, is done.
 
  • #118
Discussion closed.
 
  • #119
physixguru said:
Read my question again, it says that the box has multiple locks.Ofcourse the answer is most satisfactory of all the other answers with no complexities.Even a lay-man would possesses locks and keys.Very general assumption.

I have already mentioned that i am not going to entertain any conflicts on the answers.
Once said, is done.
That doesn't mean you have free license to violate the very rules you laid down.

"...do not mould the question according to your wishes..."

"...you have several locks and their corresponding keys..."
 
  • #120
DaveC426913 said:
That doesn't mean you have free license to violate the very rules you laid down.

"...do not mould the question according to your wishes..."

"...you have several locks and their corresponding keys..."

Discarded with due respect.
 
  • #121
physixguru said:
No more conflicts with the answer will be entertained by physixguru.I have had a talk with the moderators and anybody looking to argue on the answer,after i have mentioned,they are not mine, will be barred from answering the questions in the thread.
This is my forum and you did not get that approval from me.

Since this isn't a thread that all can sincerely play in, locked.
 

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