There was once a blacksmith who used to make spears and shields. He came to Emperor Akbar's court and claimed - "Your Majesty, nobody can make shields and spears like mine. My shields are so strong that nothing can pierce them and my spears are so sharp that there is nothing they cannot pierce."
On hearing this statement, Birbal immediately said "You lie and I can prove that you are lying." What did he find wrong with the man's statement?
2006-06-22 19:30:32 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Games & Recreation ➔ Other - Games & Recreation
If the blacksmith's invincible shields can't be pierced, how can he make spears that can pierce anything?
Alternatively, if the he can make spears that pierce anything, how can he forge a shield that can withstand the blow of his own spear?
2006-06-22 19:40:33 · answer #1 · answered by jenoosia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If one uses the shield that cannot be pierced to block the spear that pierces anything, one of two possible cases would occur: either the shield would break or spear would not pierce.
Either way, one of the blacksmith's statements must be wrong. And that is why he is lying.
2006-06-22 19:42:02 · answer #2 · answered by scanrelief 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the spears were sharp enough, they should be able to pierce the shields. If the shields are strong enough, the spears shouldn't be able to pierce them. So the blacksmith has created quite a bad situation for himself since he can't prove his statements.
2006-06-22 19:37:20 · answer #3 · answered by Aemilia753 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If nothing can pierce the shield, than the spear that this guy made will not be able to pierce it either, which means that the man is lying.
If you attack with the spear, either the shield will be pierced or not. In either case, he is lying about the quality of shield or spear respectively
2006-06-22 19:36:27 · answer #4 · answered by shrek 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The spear shouldn't be able to pierce through the shield if it could then he would be lying about the shield!
2006-06-22 19:34:35 · answer #5 · answered by Ad Just 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a paradox. Either the spear can pierce the shield, or the shield can block the spear.
2006-06-22 19:36:57 · answer #6 · answered by Jason H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
kinda obvious. if the shields are so strong that nothing can pierce them, hten the spears cannot pierce them either. but the spears are claimed to be strong enough that i can pierce everything. so his statement is logically incorrect because they cancel each other out.
2006-06-22 19:57:26 · answer #7 · answered by milisnyaica 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if he could make shields that no spear could penetrate..not even his own could...or if he could make spears that can penetrate anything..how can they penetrate his shields?
2006-06-22 19:37:53 · answer #8 · answered by Uncle Salty 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An unstoppable force and an immovable object cannot coexist.
2006-06-22 19:36:35 · answer #9 · answered by The Electric Skeptic 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He was lieing? ok, I just do not know. Hope you find the answer so you will be able to sleep
2006-06-22 20:05:41 · answer #10 · answered by grannywinkie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋