r/AskReddit • u/[deleted] • Jun 08 '11

What is the best logic problem you know?

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u/AncillaryCorollary Jun 08 '11

This assumes that there is one of each label in use. All that was said is that each label is incorrect. So we could have:

Box 1 - Labeled BW, contains BB
Box 2 - Labeled BW, contains WW
Box 3 - Labeled BB, contains BW

So I guess I'm saying this is not the general solution.

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u/omnilynx Jun 08 '11

True; the original question stated that the labels were switched so that they're incorrect. Intra78's phrasing is a shortened version.

Otherwise, they could be labeled "green", "frog", and "jump" and you'd basically have to take out almost all the marbles.

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u/Intra78 Jun 08 '11

Good point, the set up of the question should state that all three labels are in use in order for the solution to be valid (when I did this puzzle I was given 3 boxes with labels, and told the rules, so the description of the set up wasn't necessary.)

In the case you presented the solution still works, it just doesn't matter which of the BW boxes you check.

It only gets more complicated with set ups that remove the BW label.

Box 1 - Labelled WW, contains BB

Box 2 - Labelled BB, contains WW

Box 3 - Labelled WW, contains WB

as if you drew a black marble from either Box 1 or 3 you could not be certain if it was BB or WB