Mark:
VARIATION
Which way would a member of the other village say leads to the village where everyone tells lies?
His answer will indicate the direction of the village where everyone tells the truth.
Rap:
Which village did you come from?
Go that way to the truth village, the other way to the lying village--but first put the sign back up.
Reason
If they came from the lying village they point to the truth village. If they came from the truth village thay point to the truth village.
Before you choose the answer you like best; consider these four questions:
1. If you point to the truthful village what will a truthful person say in answer to your question?
2. If you point to the truthful village what will a untruthful person say in answer to your question?
3. If you point to the untruthful village what will a truthful person say in answer to your question?
4. If you point to the untruthful village what will a untruthful person say in answer to your question?
The answers to these questions are: 1. "yes", 2. "yes", 3. "no", 4. "no".
Note that in the two cases where the answer is "yes" you are pointing to the truthful village and in the two cases where the answer is "no" you are pointing to the untruthful village. Thus you can tell from the reply to which village you are pointing. You do not have to know to whom you are speaking.
Answer 1: Say, "Please point to the village you are from." Regardless of where they are from they will point to the truthful village.
Answer 2: You point to either path and say, "Are you from this village?" If the person answers 'yes' then you are pointing to the truthful village, if they answer 'no' then you are pointing to the lying village.
Answer 3: Ask "Which path would a person from the other village say leads to the truthful (or untruthful) village?" Regardless of whom you speak to the answer will filter through one lie, so if you ask for the truthful village the person will point to the lying village, and visa versa.
"I like rap's - short and sweet."
Rap's short and sweet; what!
VITPARATITYON