Pirate puzzle?
Imagine a row of 10 pirates, all very intelligent and all very greedy. We'll label the pirates with numbers 1 through 10.
The pirates are about to divide 100 gold coins among them in the following manner: Pirate #1 proposes how to divide the coins and his proposal is put to a vote (the proposing pirate also votes). If the vote passes, (tied vote also passes) then the coins are divided as per his proposal. Otherwise, he is thrown overboard and pirate #2 makes a new proposal, and so on.
How will the coins be divided? (Yes, there is a logical clear-cut, no-doubt-about-it solution)
2007-03-14 01:05:43 · 1 answers · asked by pjjuster 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
pjjuster was 100% correct. Think about it. If there are 3 pirates left (8,9, and 10) #8 needs only offer 1 coin to #10 to get his vote, since #10 KNOWS he'll get nothing if vote DOESN'T pass.
Same thing if there are 4 pirates left (7,8,9 and 10). #7 need only offer 1 coin to #9, since #9 KNOWS he'll get nothing if the vote doesn't pass, and so on and so on...
Pirate #1 will propose 96 for himself and 1 coin each to specifically pirates #3 #5 #7 and #9 and the vote WILL pass!
2007-03-14 01:13:44 · answer #1 · answered by blighmaster 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋