You and your friend decide to go to the local pub. When you get there, your friend challenges you to a friendly contest, which is as follows:
You are given an unlimited amount of empty beer bottles and a perfectly circular table. One at a time, your friend and you must take turns placing a bottle on the table. Whoever runs out of space to place a bottle first is the loser, and must buy the other a drink. You may not move preexisting bottles on the table.
Your friend kindly offers to let you have the choice of going either first or second.
Questions:
1. Should you choose to go first or second to have a better chance of winning? If it depends, explain.
2. Is there a way to place the beer bottles to totally insure your victory? Again, if it depends, explain.
3. Can you do so whether you choose to go first or second?
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You and your friend decide to go to the local pub. When you get there, your friend challenges you to a friendly contest, which is as follows:
You are given an unlimited amount of empty beer bottles and a perfectly circular table. One at a time, your friend and you must take turns placing a bottle on the table. Whoever runs out of space to place a bottle first is the loser, and must buy the other a drink. You may not move preexisting bottles on the table.
Your friend kindly offers to let you have the choice of going either first or second.
Questions:
1. Should you choose to go first or second to have a better chance of winning? If it depends, explain.
2. Is there a way to place the beer bottles to totally insure your victory? Again, if it depends, explain.
3. Can you do so whether you choose to go first or second?
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