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Truth in packaging

Started by bonanova, Sep 03 2007 04:25 AM

Best Answer Aaron Burr , 03 September 2007 - 04:15 PM

Perhaps?
The only way this works is to assume all the boxes are in fact wrong. First draw from the [box 3] nails and screws. You will get either a nail or a screw. You will label it as which ever you draw out. Let's say it's a nail. The [box 1] nails can not contain nails so it must contain the screws. The [box 2] screws must there for be the mixture. In short:
[box 1] screws
[box 2] nails and screws
[box 3] nails

'No excuses!' We cannot shift that burden onto God, or nature, or the ways of the world Go to the full post


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32 replies to this topic

#11 bonanova

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Posted 26 February 2008 - 10:14 AM

This will not work, as long as all the labels are indeed false. If they are, then if you pick up a nail from one of the boxes, it could be nails or nails and screws. same difference with the screws.

Pick something from the box labeled Nails and Screws.
What you find there tells you how to correct all the labels.
Did you think that through carefully? B))
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#12 kiger

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Posted 02 March 2008 - 02:21 AM

pore them all into one box and lable it nails and screws.
Kiger
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#13 bonanova

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Posted 02 March 2008 - 03:28 AM

pore them all into one box and lable it nails and screws.
Kiger

Nope. [1] It doesn't obey the rules, and [2] it doesn't solve the problem.
[1] You may remove only one item from one box.
[2] You have to label all three boxes correctly.
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- Bertrand Russell

#14 storm

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Posted 02 March 2008 - 04:25 AM

incorrect labels--
[box 1] nails
[box 2] screws
[box 3] nails and screws


My logic is---

As ALL THREE boxes are labelled incorrectly, so, the correct combination can be (remember cyclic order?)--

combination 1:
[box 1] nails and screws
[box 2] nails
[box 3] screws

OR

combination 2:
[box 1] screws
[box 2] nails and screws
[box 3] nails

Now, ONLY BOX 3 can contain either screw or nail, but not both. So, pick up a sample from box 3, if it is a screw, Then use combination1 to label the boxes, otherwise (if nails), then use combination 2 to label it. So, the puzzle have two answers. Am I wrong?? :unsure:
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#15 ladydulac

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Posted 02 March 2008 - 06:11 AM

I agree with storm you must have two solutions given that the box your opening has 2 different outcomes. B))
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#16 bonanova

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Posted 03 March 2008 - 05:47 AM

I agree with storm you must have two solutions given that the box your opening has 2 different outcomes. B))

Spoiler for There is only one solution ...

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#17 storm

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Posted 03 March 2008 - 06:00 AM

Spoiler for There is only one solution ...


I got your point....there is only one method...but the box combinations can be two.....

Edited by storm, 03 March 2008 - 06:01 AM.

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#18 bonanova

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Posted 03 March 2008 - 10:26 AM

Exactly.
I might have been playing with semantics... ;)
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The greatest challenge to any thinker is stating the problem in a way that will allow a solution.
- Bertrand Russell

#19 heatherlovesjade

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Posted 03 March 2008 - 12:12 PM

not able. for you may find the box to put the right label on- or it could be the wrong- say you pick up a screw ok so maybe there are nails and you felt one as you picked up the screw- so you get that one right, but the other two are unknowned
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#20 bobbyb

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Posted 05 March 2008 - 10:52 AM

Assuming the boxes are all labeled incorrectly, why not just remove the box itself. that way it doesn't matter witch box you open, you will still know how they should all be labeled.

Ex. Remove box # 2 and what ever spills out, you put the appropriate label, and move the only label that hasn't moved to the blank spot and move the origional label on box # 2 to the remaining box.
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