h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

*cough*

A1138655


Geggs

Nasty cough you have there, Sir.

Whilst I have the highest regard for Gnomon's grasp of practically everything, I fear, in this matter, the argument is fallacious. (Checks spelling; yes, that should be yikes-proof.)

We are not really dealing in mathematics nor probability, this is show-biz. No point in introducing extra possibilities of another door or multiple doors (unless the contestant is allowed to swap his one door for more than one door). By design, the host will remove one "none-winning" option so it has never been a one in three chance, it has always been an evens bet.

I shall not be dissuaded from my view, short of meeting, face to face, a particularly eloquent proponement of Gnomon's theory who happens to be carrying a heavy stick bristling with nails.

Apologies for quoting such a popular (or is it unpopular) brain teaser. It appeals to me as I thought it was not so well known and it is counter-intuitive.
The explanation on the link is better than the one I came up with which is:
Your initial choice was a 1 in 3 probability of being correct.
If you consider this probability as being 'fixed' for your first choice, you are then given a choice of 1 in 2 probability when you choose the second, unopened door.
I.e. you have the choice of sticking with a 1 in 3 or changing for the 1 in 2 probability.

Anyway, controversy aside, any more brain teasers?

I am always hungry,
I must always be fed,
The finger I lick
Will soon turn red.

Without me, they said, there can be no smoke,
Mankind's ingenuity's made that a joke.
Good servant, bad master; that is my aim.
Unless I'm a fire, then I am a flame.

Not dissimilar to the first post.

Which Door?
You are in a room with 2 doors leading out. Behind 1 door is a coffer overflowing with jewels & gold, along with an exit. Behind the other door is an enormous, hungry lion that will pounce on anyone opening the door. You do not know which door leads to the treasure & exit, & which door leads to the lion. In the room you are in are 2 individuals. The first is a knight, who always tells the truth, & a knave, who always lies. Both of these individuals know what is behind each door. You do not know which individual is the knight, or which one is the knave. You may ask 1 of the individuals only 1 question. What should you ask in order to be certain that you will open the door with the coffer behind it, instead of the hungry lion?

PS I started an identical thread called "Lateral thinking"- I should have called it "The Brabazon"

I know the answer but my brain cant at the mo put it into words, remember something like this from the film Labyrinth

Try putting your brain in gear before posting - preferably the 'lateral' mode. It is not difficult.

"It is not difficult."

Think simultaneous equation ...

OK then - what's the answer?

Sorry no more clues, I am 'off for bush' for five days. (nothing to do with Dubbya - West African pidgin)

New fish puzzle up at Coudal's:

http://www.coudal.com/theotherfish.php

Good luck!

Try asking one of the men what the other would say if.........

Ah yes, then go through the other one

Yes - your go then.

A man and his son are in a car accident. The father dies on the scene, but the child is rushed to the hospital. When he arrives the surgeon says, "I can't operate on this boy, he is my son! " How can this be?

The surgeon is his mother.

My turn?

The Goatherd.

A young man in the south of Morocco had the job of looking after twelve goats. There was little but sand, scrub and a few argan trees but it was in an area where the more adventurous tourists liked to come and see what life in the desert was like.

Life was boring, his income minimal but he was ambitious. He wanted to have money.

How did he increase his income Ð without having to spend any money?

(and happens to be real)

Let the tourists photograph the goats in the tree.

My question:

Fred sells maps in his bookshop. He charges £5 for the map of Ireland, £3 for the map of Wales, £1 for a map of England, but the map of Scotland is free.
How much would he charge for a map of Britain?

Correct - but he charged them to do it.