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Post by hakutsuru on Sept 28, 2007 13:05:19 GMT -8
Surprise Hanging A bank robber in the old west is caught, tried for his crimes, and sentenced to death by hanging. At the sentencing the wizened old judge tells the outlaw, "I'm a' gonna string ya up one day next week at noon but I ain't gonna tell ya which day I'm a' gonna do it. It's gonna be a surprise." The outlaw, being a rational sort of chap, as most outlaws in the old west were, figures that he has it made. In order for the hanging to be a surprise, he cannot know beforehand which day it will be. He knows it cannot be on Saturday because if he wasn't hanged by noon Friday it will no longer be a surprise. Since he cannot be hanged on Saturday then he also cannot be hanged on Friday because if he wasn't hanged by noon Thursday it will no longer be a surprise. Since he cannot be hanged on Friday or Saturday then he also cannot be hanged on Thursday because if he wasn't hanged by noon Wednesday...and so on. Since he cannot be hanged on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday then he also cannot be hanged on Sunday because it is no longer be a surprise. Since he can only be hanged next week, and since he cannot be hanged on any day next week: the outlaw reasons he cannot be hanged at all. Sunday comes and goes. Monday comes and goes. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday all come and go. Friday he's feeling confident. Saturday, high noon, he's swinging. He was certainly surprised when the hangman came for him. What is the error in the outlaw's reasoning? |
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Post by LymeEnigma on Sept 28, 2007 15:08:47 GMT -8
Can anyone guess what is wrong with Hakutsuru's title?  |
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Post by hakutsuru on Sept 28, 2007 15:47:53 GMT -8
Hmmm...I know what's wrong...But it sort of sounds right if spoken by a judge in the old west.
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Post by cobweb2 on Oct 14, 2007 18:52:31 GMT -8
I'll be surprised if I can figure out how to send you a private message to give you my answer.
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Post by LymeEnigma on Oct 15, 2007 15:49:17 GMT -8
I think I might have some more icons to fix.... :-)
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Post by cobweb2 on Oct 15, 2007 19:52:49 GMT -8
I did PM Hakutsuru-didn't he get it? Should I pm you?
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Post by LymeEnigma on Oct 16, 2007 18:11:25 GMT -8
I'll tell him he has a message. :-)
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Post by cobweb2 on Oct 16, 2007 18:54:08 GMT -8
Can anyone guess what is wrong with Hakutsuru's title? No need to guess-even I know how to use spellcheck. And I think my answer to the riddle was a bit too literal. I take it back ! But I'll keep working on it. |
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Post by cobweb2 on Oct 16, 2007 19:23:30 GMT -8
So now I'll share my literal thinking with the rest of you-I told Hakutsuru that the outlaw was surprised because the judge kept saying " I'm a gonna hang ya up" But the judge didn't hang him up-the hangman did. Surprise.
You know- I have to laugh so I don't cry. This is painful. Laugh with me-I may be your future.
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Post by LymeEnigma on Oct 17, 2007 10:43:03 GMT -8
*Hugs for Cobby*
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Post by cobweb2 on Oct 17, 2007 19:49:57 GMT -8
You just got exalted some more-thanks for understanding. :>}
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Post by hakutsuru on Oct 17, 2007 21:27:12 GMT -8
That was a great guess Cobby. How would you answer if the Judge pulled the lever himself?
There is more than one way to approach this paradox. Thus, there is no single correct answer.
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Post by cobweb2 on Oct 18, 2007 4:08:57 GMT -8
Just understanding the definition of the word PARADOX is enough of a riddle for me! paradox-a statement or proposition seemingly self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expressing a possible truth.  but I'll keep working on it.  Is the paradox in the judge's comments or the outlaw's reasoning?  |
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Post by LymeEnigma on Oct 18, 2007 8:11:58 GMT -8
I would say that the paradox lies more in the outlaw's reasoning, but hakutsuru will probably will respond with something a little more complex.
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Post by cobweb2 on Oct 18, 2007 15:27:02 GMT -8
I sent PM to H...
what's his knickname?
because I can never remember how to spell his name without looking at it.
Okay if I just call him Haiku ?
I think I got it right this time-and I agree-the paradox is with the outlaw's reasoning-but I'm not going to expose anymore of my brilliance on board-not until he tells me I'm as bright as a copper penny.
Now figure that riddle out.
____________________________________
Speaking of Haiku
I've got one for you
As host
you post
To help us through! ;D
_________________________________________
Cobby
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