A Puzzle

by **Pseudo** » Fri Aug 10, 2012 9:45 pm

Three people just completed an interview. The boss can only hire one, but he hasn't made a decision yet. In order to make the final determination, he draws either a black dot or a white dot on each one's forehead, puts them in a room, and tells them that the first one to tell him what color dot they have on their head gets the job. Here's the rest laid out in a handy-dandy little list for your thinking pleasure:

1) P1 has a black dot; P2 has a black dot; P3 has a white dot.
2) There is at least one black dot. There are no other restrictions.
3) They can see the other dots, but not their own.
4) No mirrors, glasses, reflections in pupils, etc.
5) No speaking.
6) If the last three weren't clear enough, this is not a trick question.

After a couple of minutes P2 comes to the boss and tells him he has a black dot on his forehead. How does he know?

Now, I know we've got a bunch of sociopaths in here and all, but try your hardest not to cheat. If not for me, then try to behave for the kitten:

He can see a black dot and a white dot. If he had a white dot, the dude with the black dot would be seeing two white dots. There is at least one black dot, therefore the fact that the dude w the black dot didnt say anything establishes that he himself must have a black dot.

Dude with the white dot should sue for discrimination as he had no way to 'win' this rigged little game.

Was the dude with the white dot black? That might explain the discrimination.

by **Pseudo** » Fri Aug 10, 2012 10:27 pm

Well, the guy with the white dot was the only one that refused to put out in the interview, so no way was he getting the job. Some people are so selfish.

by **wooster** » Fri Aug 10, 2012 10:30 pm

- P1 could have come to the same conclusion (given they all were released into the room at the same time), weren't it for his slower wits.

- I liked the kitten, thank you.

by **legallyblind** » Fri Aug 10, 2012 10:33 pm

Pseudo wrote:Well, the guy with the white dot was the only one that refused to put out in the interview, so no way was he getting the job. Some people are so selfish.

[gunshot]

[gunshot]

door opens.

White dot dude to boss 'I must have a black dot, because both of those other guys got a red dot, and you said there was one black dot. Oh, and if I don't get this job, I got a feeling you're gonna have a red dot just like them.'

Boss, jaw dropping, 'uhhhh...'

White dot dude, smiling widely, 'Great! See you on Monday, and thanks.'

:twisted:

by **Pseudo** » Fri Aug 10, 2012 10:35 pm

Oh, and congrats legal--good work. Here's your smartness award:

wooster wrote:P1 could have come to the same conclusion (given they all were released into the room at the same time), weren't it for his slower wits.

Did I forget to mention that P1 is a sociopath? He was too busy scheming the demise of his competitors to pull his head out of his a*s and get a job.

by **wooster** » Fri Aug 10, 2012 10:39 pm

Pseudo wrote:Well, the guy with the white dot was the only one that refused to put out in the interview, so no way was he getting the job. Some people are so selfish.

Sounds like my idea of a job application. "Bugger all, or take my terms & conditions."

-- Fri Aug 10, 2012 10:41 pm --

Pseudo wrote: He was too busy scheming the demise of his competitors

= idiocy (evolutional disadvantage)

by **katana** » Fri Aug 10, 2012 10:52 pm

Pseudo wrote:Did I forget to mention that P1 is a sociopath? He was too busy scheming the demise of his competitors to pull his head out of his a*s and get a job.

and then the risk that P1 can see two white dots and is thick as 2 short planks :lol:

by **Xena** » Fri Aug 10, 2012 11:26 pm

ROFLMFAO!! Oh my Gettier! I have to pee!! :lol:

by **Tempo** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 2:26 am

P2 can see a black dot and a white dot.

If P2's dot were white, P1 would be seeing two white dots. Because at least one dot is black, P1 would know that he was "it". But he hasn't stepped forward.

Therefore P2's dot ISN'T white; it must be black.

P1 and P3 are obviously complete morons, because P1 should have noticed the same thing as P2 and P3 should have noticed that P1 and P2 both had black dots, meaning that he had the white one.

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