06-15-2010, 07:48 AM | #16 |
Wizard
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This is all a bit too difficult for my poor old brain. I haven't been able to come up with a solution, but I do have a comment on Dreams' solution:
Spoiler:
And thanks to PDurrant for this interesting problem, even though I spent much too much time thinking about it. |
06-15-2010, 08:54 AM | #17 |
The Grand Mouse 高貴的老鼠
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re: your comment. It's not permissible to use a fake coin to pay for something, but it's OK to give it to someone as a free gift.
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06-15-2010, 12:49 PM | #18 | |
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Quote:
But wait, in that case ..... Spoiler:
Hmm .... |
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06-15-2010, 12:54 PM | #19 |
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06-15-2010, 12:56 PM | #20 |
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There's no flaw. Only the miser has the means to identify the fake coin. No one else would accept it. And you don't want to risk giving away a perfectly good coin, do you? |
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06-15-2010, 01:07 PM | #21 |
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On another point:
Why do we assume the person who owns the scales is a miser? Should we not congratulate him on using his business acumen to corner the market in renting out weighing devices? There's obviously a market for his service, and he is offering it at a price that the market seems willing to pay. Of course, if my solution to the puzzle is widely accepted, he will quickly go out of business. But that's OK too. We can't afford to support outdated industries whose services are no longer relevant. It's all a nice little lesson in capitalism. |
06-15-2010, 01:18 PM | #22 |
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but give away two good coins,. just to be sure who gets the fake one? Unlike the (very good) answer you gave before, I fail to see the logic here
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06-15-2010, 01:23 PM | #23 |
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Well, when you pay the miser, you don't give the coins away, you pay for a service. Sure, it's cheaper to give one away than buy a service for two, but, erm...it's the principle of the thing? It's really fun criticising logic puzzles from a socioeconomic point of view |
06-15-2010, 01:30 PM | #24 |
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You have a point there - economy needs support - especially in such difficult times. Ok, guys, let's make it easier for you - I have a digital scale(s?) and charge 1 coin for 3 weights. (I think that's called free market or something similar, definitely having nothing to do with the word dumping )
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06-15-2010, 01:40 PM | #25 | |
The Grand Mouse 高貴的老鼠
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Quote:
Now, one coin for three weighings is better value than one coin for one comparison, but not by as much as it seems... |
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06-15-2010, 01:50 PM | #26 |
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and yet, you could locate enough real coins with 3 digital weighings to pay he first item. Now, paying me is going to be a hazard or you get another 3 , pay me with 2 real coins and keep the fake as a souvenir
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06-23-2010, 01:02 PM | #27 |
The Grand Mouse 高貴的老鼠
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Next puzzle is up: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88107
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