[sparkyboy6]

Mother baked 12 delicous, cream-filled cupcakes. She was going to give 3 each to her 4 children, James, Joe, John and Joshua. That was until a problem ensued. Someone stole all the cupcakes, gobbled them up, and didn't leave behind a single trace. Not one crumb! So, Mother called up all the boys and asked them in order if they were the culprits. This is what they said:

James: ''I didn't eat them!''

Joe: ''James is telling the truth''

John: ''Joshua is lying!''

Joshua ''I did not eat them!''

[moonthirsty]

This puzzle seems to be missing some information.

Shoudl we assume that only one of them is lying?

Should we assume that only one of them ate all the cupcakes?

[sparkyboy6]

Ok:

Assuming that only one person ate the cakes and only one person is lying, solve this puzzle.

[Guest]

Text states the replies were given in order. John answered before Joshua and therefore could not know what he would say so he must be the culprit and the liar.

[sparkyboy6]

Text states the replies were given in order. John answered before Joshua and therefore could not know what he would say so he must be the culprit and the liar.

Correct!

Edited February 16, 2011 by sparkyboy6

[sparkyboy6]

Added a poll!

[Guest]

Or you could also just wait until supper and see who doesn't eat anything since they spoiled their supper...

Edited February 17, 2011 by jpar1983

[Guest]

Text states the replies were given in order. John answered before Joshua and therefore could not know what he would say so he must be the culprit and the liar.

If john knew that joshua ate them and he knew joshua doesnt want to get in trouble and would say he didnt eat the cupcakes. John didnt want to seem like a teller and just said joshua will lie

[Cavenglok]

Or it could be that Joshua told John that Joshua was going to tell their mother that he didn't eat them, when indeed he did, so John already knew that Joshua was lying.