65 replies to this topic

[Bowlin]

But I know Da is yes and Ja is no? It's given that if I ask them a question and they say "da," they are responding "yes."?

No, Whatever they say is a yes or a no, in a language you don't understand. Assuming they speak Danish or Russian and they say da or ja, you wouldn't know whether they said yes or no, nor would you know which language they spoke it in.

[Parry]

I did this puzzle in school and also seen it on the TV.

I believe it has something to with 'iff' and the quesitons you must ask must relate to the other gods.

e.g does 'da' equal yes iff 'B' is the random god.

its along those lines but alot more complicated

Edited by Parry, 04 September 2005 - 08:55 AM.

[Bowlin]

I did this puzzle in school and also seen it on the TV.

I believe it has something to with 'iff' and the quesitons you must ask must relate to the other gods.

e.g does 'da' equal yes iff 'B' is the random god.

its along those lines but alot more complicated

You're starting to catch on more .
Yes, it does have something to do with 'iff'.

By the way, Eternyte, would you mind telling us the answer?

[Eternyte]

Question 1:
First you need to find a god that is not Random. So either True or False.
Ask god A "Does da mean yes iff, you are true, iff B is Random?"

If A is True or False you get the the answer "da", and you know B is Random. So that leaves C as either True or False.

If A is True or False, and you get the answer "ja", then B is not Random. So B is either True or False.

If A is Random and you get the answer "da", C is not Random, and is therefore True or False.
If A is Random and you get the answer "ja", B is not Random, and is therefore True or False.

So to conclude Q1, if A answers "da" then C is either True or False. Or if A answers "ja" then B is either True or False.

Question 2:
Turn to the god that you know is True or False and ask "Does da mean yes iff London is in England?".
True will answer "da", and False with answer "ja". So after 2 questions you now know if B is True or False.

Question 3:
Now if you find B to be True ask "Does da mean yes iff A is Random?". If he answers "da", then A is Random. Therefore A = Random, B = True, C = False. But if he answers "ja", then A is not Random. Therefore A = False, B = True, C = Random.

If B is False, and you get the answer "da", since B speaks falsely A is not Random, therefore A is True. Therefore A = True, B = False, C = Random. Bit if he answers "ja", then A is Random. Therefore A = Random, B = False, C = True.


I tried to simplify the explanation as much as possible, but if you don't understand it you probably never will. I'll try to answer any questions though.

[Parry]

Also 'IFF' is an abbreviation of 'If and only if'

e.g

If 'Ja' was Yes and 'Da' was No.

Does 2+2=4 iff Paris is in France. Would be 'Ja'

Does 2+2=5 iff London is in England. Would be 'Da'

Does 2+2=5 iff the 2012 olympics are in Paris. Would be 'Ja'


(if i'm not mistaken)

Edited by Parry, 06 September 2005 - 07:33 PM.

[Bowlin]

Question 1:
First you need to find a god that is not Random. So either True or False.
Ask god A "Does da mean yes iff, you are true, iff B is Random?"

If A is True or False you get the the answer "da", and you know B is Random. So that leaves C as either True or False.

If A is True or False, and you get the answer "ja", then B is not Random. So B is either True or False.

If A is Random and you get the answer "da", C is not Random, and is therefore True or False.
If A is Random and you get the answer "ja", B is not Random, and is therefore True or False.

So to conclude Q1, if A answers "da" then C is either True or False. Or if A answers "ja" then B is either True or False.

Question 2:
Turn to the god that you know is True or False and ask "Does da mean yes iff London is in England?".
True will answer "da", and False with answer "ja". So after 2 questions you now know if B is True or False.

Question 3:
Now if you find B to be True ask "Does da mean yes iff A is Random?". If he answers "da", then A is Random. Therefore A = Random, B = True, C = False. But if he answers "ja", then A is not Random. Therefore A = False, B = True, C = Random.

If B is False, and you get the answer "da", since B speaks falsely A is not Random, therefore A is True. Therefore A = True, B = False, C = Random. Bit if he answers "ja", then A is Random. Therefore A = Random, B = False, C = True.


I tried to simplify the explanation as much as possible, but if you don't understand it you probably never will. I'll try to answer any questions though.

*confetti drops from the ceiling*
Congratulations! Superb!
You've managed to answer one of the hardest logic problems of all!
You can pat yourself on the back for figuring it out.

And I thank all of you, who participated in this test and found out the answers. Good job, I say to all of you!


My only request for all of you is to seek answers to all of life's questions and choose the answers wisely.

Good-Bye and until next time.