Logic Problem
Here’s a logic problem to get your brain going this Monday:
In a large house there is a basement with three rooms. In the middle of each room is a light. There are no windows in any of the rooms and no light switches.
In the attic there are three switches. Each switch controls one of the lights in the basement.
You are taken to the attic. Your task is to try to determine which switch controls which light. Once you leave the attic, you may not return. You may visit two of the rooms in the basement once, and once only. No room, or the light emanating from it, is visible from any other room. You may not call upon the help of any other persons, or use any additional apparatus.
Number the switches 1, 2 & 3 Switch on number 1 for 10 seconds, then switch it off. Switch on number 2. Go downstairs… The light that is on is connected to switch 2. The light that is off and warm is connected to switch 1. The light that is off and cold is connected to switch 3!!
[UPDATE: Used the wording from some other sites where I saw this logic problem. The previous wording didn't adequately cover the right cases.]
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Jun 13th, 2005 at 15:06:16
1. Turn on 2 switches.
2. Go upstairs, plug a radio into one of the “on” outlets, and crank it up loud.
3. Go downstairs, turn off one of the “on” switches, and listen.
Jun 13th, 2005 at 15:13:27
Lol, well, I guess that would work. However, I’m gonna throw a kink into the problem and reword it as I’ve seen on other sites…
Once you leave the cellar, you can’t go back.
Jun 13th, 2005 at 15:17:26
For the record and posterity, this was the original wording that I used:
Jun 13th, 2005 at 16:17:22
The radio was a home improvement trick I picked up somewhere. :>
It’s definitely handy for finding circuits, tho.
Jun 13th, 2005 at 16:24:16
Handy little trick indeed. Good for when you’re in the garage or basement flipping unlabeled fuses, like you said.
Jun 14th, 2005 at 09:57:15
hey i managed to get this one right!
Jun 21st, 2005 at 14:12:44
Why does this entry keep showing up new in my Bloglines… like 6-7 times it shows new.
Jun 21st, 2005 at 23:10:38
Now sure what’s causing that to happen, but everytime I write or edit a post, this one shows up as new/edited too.