1
   

fun math problem!

 
 
Reply Tue 7 Dec, 2004 03:37 pm
OK, this problem is about bandits.

There are 10 bandits with 100 pieces of gold. The bandits are marked one through ten. The bandits have priorities: 1)stay alive 2) get the most gold The bandits have to make up a way of splitting up money keeping in mind the two priorities. the first bandit makes a plan first, when the bandits vote on the plan (including himself) if he gets less than half the votes (he can get a tie and the plan would still work) he would die. Concluding that if he gets more than half or ties with the votes the plan is passed and he lives. if the plan is voted down, the other bandits kill the first bandit. then the second bandit has to make a plan. Keep in mind that all the bandits are logical.

Have fun with this, and if you think you have the answer show your work please! and dont answer it if you have already done a problem similar to this, let people have fun! Smile

I will answer questions too. Good Luck!

What is the plan the first bandit can make that will give him the most gold but not die?
  • Topic Stats
  • Top Replies
  • Link to this Topic
Type: Discussion • Score: 1 • Views: 936 • Replies: 18
No top replies

 
SCoates
 
  1  
Reply Tue 7 Dec, 2004 03:51 pm
What's the question?
0 Replies
 
latilatilas
 
  1  
Reply Tue 7 Dec, 2004 03:54 pm
lol, what can i say, im a blonde.... Smile

the question is what is the plan the first bandit will make to earn the most money but not die?
0 Replies
 
ebrown p
 
  1  
Reply Tue 7 Dec, 2004 03:56 pm
I think the question is what is the best strategy for each bandit?-- or maybe assuming that all bandits are logical (as specified) what will the outcome be?

I need a clarification.

I assume that dead bandits don't get a vote, but you say the term "half the votes", does this mean "half the votes of remaining (living) bandits" or "half the votes of the original bandits? I think the first option makes the problem more interesting, but when you specified "<5" it makes it unclear.
0 Replies
 
Pantalones
 
  1  
Reply Tue 7 Dec, 2004 03:57 pm
This problem is the same one as this one.
0 Replies
 
latilatilas
 
  1  
Reply Tue 7 Dec, 2004 04:00 pm
editing... lol sry
0 Replies
 
ebrown p
 
  1  
Reply Tue 7 Dec, 2004 04:02 pm
If that is the question, the first guy wants to stay alive.

I assume that if he took none of the money, and split it between guys 2-6 (the next guys whose life will be at stake) he would get 5 votes to stay alive, but he wouldn;t get any money.

But all bandits being logical, I am pretty sure the first guy doesn't die (although I am not 100% sure yet that the first guy isn't doomed from the start).

Assuming I am correct, the question is whether the first guy can safely keep any money.

I also assume that the 10th bandit will vote down any plan, since if everyone dies before him, he will get all the money.
0 Replies
 
latilatilas
 
  1  
Reply Tue 7 Dec, 2004 04:04 pm
you have a very good start!

and sry JoeFX, i dont usually go looking around the whole site for some1 with the same riddle lol, and i can guarantee you i didn't see it and then repost it, i just came home from an after school math club, and learned it there, anyways, some people that only go to the math and science forum may want to figure this one out Smile
0 Replies
 
Einherjar
 
  1  
Reply Tue 7 Dec, 2004 04:13 pm
Nah, the tenth pirate will vote for any plan ig he gets as much as a single piece of gold, because if it comes down to him and number nine the vote ties, and number nine takes all the money.

I'd give one gold to number 10, one vote for me, and none to number 9, one vote against me. Not sure about what to give the rest, athough i would probably barter for the support of pirates two three and four.

Edit: or maybe not, number 10 might vote nay and expect a larger cut by number 2.
0 Replies
 
latilatilas
 
  1  
Reply Tue 7 Dec, 2004 04:20 pm
you all are thinking well... ur all on the right track.... keep going!
0 Replies
 
Einherjar
 
  1  
Reply Tue 7 Dec, 2004 04:26 pm
Pirate 2 might not want to end up in the hotseat, as any majority with an odd number of pirates would tie with one of them dead.
0 Replies
 
Pantalones
 
  1  
Reply Tue 7 Dec, 2004 04:43 pm
nothing to be sorry about, latilatilas... I'm sorry if I sounded rude..

anyways my answer is the next one:


nobody dies and the distribution of the money is the next one (#1 being the highest ranked bandit):

#1=8
#2=6
#3=4
#4=2
#5=0
#6=0
#7=0
#8=0
#9=0
#10=80
0 Replies
 
latilatilas
 
  1  
Reply Tue 7 Dec, 2004 04:48 pm
nope... why would the second pirate vote for that plan when he knows if he doesn't vote for him, he would die, then he could make a plan and get more money? and im not looking for the rank, but dont give the answer, bcuz u've already figured it out once!! lol gj by the way

u didn't sound rude, and i didn't mean to either... im jsut saying i didn't see it Smile
0 Replies
 
latilatilas
 
  1  
Reply Tue 7 Dec, 2004 04:49 pm
nebody want a hint? (i dont want to give one if youd rather figure it out alone)
0 Replies
 
ebrown p
 
  1  
Reply Tue 7 Dec, 2004 04:55 pm
I think I got it! (sorry I posted in two places, but I am excited and we haven't chosen one yet)

The first bandit can keep 96 gold coins.

Assuming the other bandits are all perfectly logical and greedy (that is they would prefer 1 coin to 0 coins) the first pirate needs to give 1 coin each to bandit #3, #5, #7 and #9.

She will get a vote from each bandit that received a coin which (with her own vote) will be 5, enough to get the plan ratified.

Does anyone want a proof?
0 Replies
 
latilatilas
 
  1  
Reply Tue 7 Dec, 2004 04:59 pm
very good!! do you want me to explain it or would you rather?
0 Replies
 
Einherjar
 
  1  
Reply Tue 7 Dec, 2004 05:01 pm
ebrown_p wrote:
I think I got it! (sorry I posted in two places, but I am excited and we haven't chosen one yet)

The first bandit can keep 96 gold coins.

Assuming the other bandits are all perfectly logical and greedy (that is they would prefer 1 coin to 0 coins) the first pirate needs to give 1 coin each to bandit #3, #5, #7 and #9.

She will get a vote from each bandit that received a coin which (with her own vote) will be 5, enough to get the plan ratified.

Does anyone want a proof?


Lets see it.
0 Replies
 
ebrown p
 
  1  
Reply Tue 7 Dec, 2004 05:11 pm
I presented a proof in the pirate thread.

http://www.able2know.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=1054251#1054251

What a great problem!
0 Replies
 
latilatilas
 
  1  
Reply Tue 7 Dec, 2004 05:15 pm
very good!! you got it!! that took me awhile... lol and sry i was so slow at coming back, im practing and i got kinda intrigued, and 4get... lol gj!
0 Replies
 
 

Related Topics

Evolution 101 - Discussion by gungasnake
Typing Equations on a PC - Discussion by Brandon9000
The Future of Artificial Intelligence - Discussion by Brandon9000
The well known Mind vs Brain. - Discussion by crayon851
Scientists Offer Proof of 'Dark Matter' - Discussion by oralloy
Blue Saturn - Discussion by oralloy
Bald Eagle-DDT Myth Still Flying High - Discussion by gungasnake
DDT: A Weapon of Mass Survival - Discussion by gungasnake
 
  1. Forums
  2. » fun math problem!
Copyright © 2025 MadLab, LLC :: Terms of Service :: Privacy Policy :: Page generated in 0.04 seconds on 01/18/2025 at 09:16:39