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Knights and Knaves: What does C say?


About the island of Knights and KnavesAbout Knights and Knaves and their consistencyKnights , Knaves and Spies - Part 1Knights , Knaves and Spies - Part 2Knights and knaves at a partyKnights, Knaves and Normals - the tough oneSolve the following knights and knaves problemKnight and knavesKnights and knaves puzzler






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35















$begingroup$


You are on a fictional island with two types of people: knights who always tell the truth,
and knaves, who always lie. Three of the inhabitants - A, B, and C are standing in the
garden. A says, "B and C are of the same type" (B and C are both knaves or are both
knights.) Someone then asks C, "Are A and B of the same type?"
What does C answer?










share|improve this question











$endgroup$










  • 4




    $begingroup$
    Obligatory XKCD reference...
    $endgroup$
    – Mr Lister
    Sep 25 at 12:23










  • $begingroup$
    Obligatory secondary XKCD reference...
    $endgroup$
    – ojdo
    Sep 25 at 14:09










  • $begingroup$
    another xkcd reference(though this one only matches by having an island...)
    $endgroup$
    – Baldrickk
    Sep 25 at 16:40

















35















$begingroup$


You are on a fictional island with two types of people: knights who always tell the truth,
and knaves, who always lie. Three of the inhabitants - A, B, and C are standing in the
garden. A says, "B and C are of the same type" (B and C are both knaves or are both
knights.) Someone then asks C, "Are A and B of the same type?"
What does C answer?










share|improve this question











$endgroup$










  • 4




    $begingroup$
    Obligatory XKCD reference...
    $endgroup$
    – Mr Lister
    Sep 25 at 12:23










  • $begingroup$
    Obligatory secondary XKCD reference...
    $endgroup$
    – ojdo
    Sep 25 at 14:09










  • $begingroup$
    another xkcd reference(though this one only matches by having an island...)
    $endgroup$
    – Baldrickk
    Sep 25 at 16:40













35













35









35


5



$begingroup$


You are on a fictional island with two types of people: knights who always tell the truth,
and knaves, who always lie. Three of the inhabitants - A, B, and C are standing in the
garden. A says, "B and C are of the same type" (B and C are both knaves or are both
knights.) Someone then asks C, "Are A and B of the same type?"
What does C answer?










share|improve this question











$endgroup$




You are on a fictional island with two types of people: knights who always tell the truth,
and knaves, who always lie. Three of the inhabitants - A, B, and C are standing in the
garden. A says, "B and C are of the same type" (B and C are both knaves or are both
knights.) Someone then asks C, "Are A and B of the same type?"
What does C answer?







logical-deduction liars






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Sep 23 at 18:02









Rand al'Thor

89.9k18 gold badges253 silver badges513 bronze badges




89.9k18 gold badges253 silver badges513 bronze badges










asked Sep 23 at 15:16









53rleaves9953rleaves99

4692 silver badges4 bronze badges




4692 silver badges4 bronze badges










  • 4




    $begingroup$
    Obligatory XKCD reference...
    $endgroup$
    – Mr Lister
    Sep 25 at 12:23










  • $begingroup$
    Obligatory secondary XKCD reference...
    $endgroup$
    – ojdo
    Sep 25 at 14:09










  • $begingroup$
    another xkcd reference(though this one only matches by having an island...)
    $endgroup$
    – Baldrickk
    Sep 25 at 16:40












  • 4




    $begingroup$
    Obligatory XKCD reference...
    $endgroup$
    – Mr Lister
    Sep 25 at 12:23










  • $begingroup$
    Obligatory secondary XKCD reference...
    $endgroup$
    – ojdo
    Sep 25 at 14:09










  • $begingroup$
    another xkcd reference(though this one only matches by having an island...)
    $endgroup$
    – Baldrickk
    Sep 25 at 16:40







4




4




$begingroup$
Obligatory XKCD reference...
$endgroup$
– Mr Lister
Sep 25 at 12:23




$begingroup$
Obligatory XKCD reference...
$endgroup$
– Mr Lister
Sep 25 at 12:23












$begingroup$
Obligatory secondary XKCD reference...
$endgroup$
– ojdo
Sep 25 at 14:09




$begingroup$
Obligatory secondary XKCD reference...
$endgroup$
– ojdo
Sep 25 at 14:09












$begingroup$
another xkcd reference(though this one only matches by having an island...)
$endgroup$
– Baldrickk
Sep 25 at 16:40




$begingroup$
another xkcd reference(though this one only matches by having an island...)
$endgroup$
– Baldrickk
Sep 25 at 16:40










10 Answers
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47

















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C will answer "Yes".


Assume A is a knight. Then B and C are either both knaves or both knights.

* If they are both knights, then all three are knights, and A and B are both therefore knights, and C will truthfully say that they are the same.

* If B and C are both knaves, then A and B are different, and C will lie and say they are the same.


Assume A is a knave. Then B and C are knight/knave or knave/knight.

* If C is a knave, then A and B are different, and C will lie and say they are the same.

* If C is a knight, then A and B are the same, and C will truthfully say they are.


Thus, regardless of what the status of A and B are, C will answer that they are the same.







share|improve this answer












$endgroup$









  • 2




    $begingroup$
    This is where this intuitively felt like it was going. But I didn't finish the full logical exhaustion of possibilities.
    $endgroup$
    – Cruncher
    Sep 23 at 18:14










  • $begingroup$
    @Cruncher but there are only 4 possibilities...
    $endgroup$
    – whn
    Sep 25 at 15:31






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    @opa Which is a lot to keep straight in your head.
    $endgroup$
    – Cruncher
    Sep 25 at 16:14


















33







+100










$begingroup$

A shortcut to get the correct answer, assuming that one exists, is to simply assume that A, B and C are all knights, and thus speak the truth. In this case, C will obviously answer "Yes." And since the question implicitly assumes that C's answer is the same for any possible scenario, C must always answer "Yes."




This, by the way, is a very handy exam-taking trick. Quite often, especially with questions like this that seem to provide too little information but still expect a definite answer, just knowing that an answer exists can make the problem much easier to solve. In particular, it means that you can freely assume any self-consistent set of values for any unspecified parameters (such as, in this case, the types of the people involved), since any choice of those unspecified parameters must necessarily yield the same answer.



Of course, with real-world problems, one cannot generally assume that answer necessarily exists. (See e.g. this Q&A on Mathematics Educators Stack Exchange for some nice counterexamples.) Even so, sometimes it can be easier to first start with that assumption, figure out what the answer has to be if there is one, and only then try to check that the candidate answer really works in all cases. For example, in the context of this puzzle, knowing that C says "yes" in one possible scenario means that, to verify that the puzzle really has a solution, we just need to check that any scenarios where C would say "no" are not possible.






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  • 6




    $begingroup$
    Great answer. To aboid that the opener could have asked: will he always give the same answer? And if yes: what will it be?
    $endgroup$
    – Torsten Link
    Sep 24 at 22:01






  • 3




    $begingroup$
    Excellent lateral thinking.
    $endgroup$
    – Mindwin
    Sep 25 at 14:41






  • 4




    $begingroup$
    It is absolutely possible that the right exam answer is "we don't know how C will answer, based on the information we were given".
    $endgroup$
    – gnasher729
    Sep 25 at 21:27


















14

















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The easiest way to find the solution is to write the Truth Table listing all the possibilities whether a person tells lies or tells the truth:




A B C

1 lie lie lie

2 lie lie truth

3 lie truth lie

4 lie truth truth

5 truth lie lie

6 truth lie truth

7 truth truth lie

8 truth truth truth




A says "B and C are of the same type", and by this statement we can remove impossible combinations i.e. #1 and #4 (B and C being of the same type with A lying) and #6 and #7 (B and C being of a different type with A telling the truth). We are left with:


A B C

2 lie lie truth

3 lie truth lie

5 truth lie lie

8 truth truth truth



Now, if we ask C "Are A and B of the same type?", we can easily see he always replies yes.





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  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Thanks to @Rand al'Thor and all the others for the edits!
    $endgroup$
    – dr01
    Sep 25 at 5:48



















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Suppose we refer to knights and true statements as "even" and knaves and false statements as "odd". Then the statement "Knights always tell the truth" and "Knaves always tell lies" can be recast as "A person and their statement always add up to even" (even + even is even, odd + odd is also even). Two people have the same type iff they add up to even. So A will say "B and C are the same type" only if the sum of "B and C are the same type" and A is even, i.e. A+(B+C) = even. This is completely symmetrical with respect to A, B, and C, so if A says "B and C are the same type", then C will say "A and B are the same type."







share|improve this answer










$endgroup$









  • 1




    $begingroup$
    This was my reasoning as well. It's awful hard to explain, though - I suspect it needs to be explained more clearly, though I'm not sure how.
    $endgroup$
    – Brilliand
    Sep 24 at 13:20






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    This can be generalised to any number of people if the question is instead "Excluding yourself, are there an even number of knights here?", which is logically equivalent to the original for three people.
    $endgroup$
    – Zandar
    Sep 25 at 7:11






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @Zandar That comment also gives a neat simplification of the thought process in this answer: A knight's and a knave's answer to "Excluding yourself, are there an even number of knights here?" is actually an honest answer to "Are there an odd number of knights here in total?" So we immediately see that everyone answers that question the same way.
    $endgroup$
    – JiK
    Sep 25 at 21:21


















3

















$begingroup$

I would use simple propositional logic for problems of this type. Let $a,b,c$ represent 'A is a knight', etc, and let $x$ stand for an arbitrary person so that
$$
xtext says unicodex201c P unicodex201d implies (x equiv P)
$$

Then...




...the first statement implies $a equiv (b equiv c)$, and the second implies $c equiv ((a equiv b) equiv r)$, where $r$ is C's response.


Now since $equiv$ is associative and symmetric, substituting the first in the second simplifies to $r equiv texttrue$, i.e., C's response is "Yes."







share|improve this answer












$endgroup$





















    1

















    $begingroup$

    Suppose A is a knight.




    Then either B and C are both knights, or B and C are both knaves.

    If B and C are both knights, then C would truthfully reply that A and B are of the same type. So C would say "yes".

    If B and C are knaves, then C would lie that A and B are of the same type. So C would say "yes".




    Suppose A is a knave.




    Then A lies when he says that B and C are of the same type. Thus B and C are of different types.

    Suppose B is a knave and C a knight. Then C truthfully replies that A and B are of the same type. So C says "yes".

    Suppose B is a knight and C a knave. Then C lies when he says A and B are of the same type. So C says "yes".




    This covers all scenarios, so we can say that C will always say "Yes, A and B are of the same type".






    share|improve this answer












    $endgroup$





















      1

















      $begingroup$


      If A is a Knight, then he is telling the truth, and both B and C are of the same type. This gives us two possibilities: that B and C are both Knights, or that B and C are both Knaves.





      • If B and C are both Knights, then that means C is a Knight, and C must tell the truth. Since B is a Knight and A is a Knight, C will truthfully tell us that yes, they are the same type.




      • If B and C are both Knaves, then that means that C is a Knave, and C must tell a lie. Since B is a Knave and A is a Knight, C will falsely tell us that yes, they are the same type.




      Now consider the possibility that A is a Knave. In this case, A is telling a lie, and B and C are not the same type, and must in face be two different types. This gives us two possibilities: that B is a Knight and C is a Knave, or that B is a Knave and C is a Knight.





      • If B is a Knight and C is a Knave, then C must tell a lie. Since A is a Knave and B is a Knight, C will tell us that yes, they are the same type, even though they are not.




      • If B is a Knave and C is a Knight, then C must tell the truth. Since A is a Knave and B is also a Knave, C will tell us that yes, they are the same type.




      As you can see, every possible combination results in C telling us yes, A and B are the same type. Now, whether he's lying or not is another story entirely.







      share|improve this answer










      $endgroup$





















        0

















        $begingroup$


        Let A, B and C be represented by "true" and "false" instead of "knight" and "knave". Then the act of A answering a proposition P is the result of the exclusive nor (xnor) of A with P. Conveniently, the proposition "are B and C of the same type" is also an xnor operation, so A's final answer is given by (A xnor (B xnor C)). However, the xnor operation is associative and commutative, so this can be written ((A xnor B) xnor C), which is the result of C answering the proposition "are A and B of the same type". This means that C's answer is always the same as the answer A gave.







        share|improve this answer










        $endgroup$









        • 1




          $begingroup$
          Note that 'exclusive nor' is just a convoluted way to say 'equals'. :-)
          $endgroup$
          – MarnixKlooster ReinstateMonica
          Sep 26 at 10:00











        • $begingroup$
          See also page 59 of Dijkstra&Scholten, "Predicate Calculus and Program Semantics" (Google Books link).
          $endgroup$
          – MarnixKlooster ReinstateMonica
          Sep 26 at 10:44


















        0

















        $begingroup$

        The puzzle doesn't actually state that each of A, B or C know what type the others are.




        But in this case we do know that A knows what type B or C are (because neither knight nor knave would make a statement that they don't know to be true or false. )

        So either A is a knight and B, C are of the same type, or A is a knave and B, C are of different type. We know that, C knows that, and C knows his own type, so according to the previous analysis, C would say they are both of the same type.

        It would have been different if A had said "I know that B and C are of the same type". A could be a knight, but A might also be a knave who doesn't know either B's or C's type. Even if C knows his own type, if he doesn't know B's type then A's statement doesn't give him that information.

        So C wouldn't know B's type. If C is a knight he would say "I don't know if A and B are of the same type". If C is a knave he can't say "A and B are of the same / of different type", because he doesn't know if that statement would be true or false. He can say either "I know that A and B are of the same type", or he can say "I know that A and B are of different type".







        share|improve this answer












        $endgroup$





















          0

















          $begingroup$


          If a knight is 0, and a knave is 1, then A's statement tells us that A + B + C is even. And C answering "Yes" means the same thing, by symmetry. (And "No" would mean A+B+C is odd.) So C must answer "Yes".




          (Logically, this is similar to the answers of Accumulation, Neil, and Marnix Klooster.)






          share|improve this answer












          $endgroup$













          • $begingroup$
            And to mine, if you write A+B+C as $A notequiv B notequiv C$ which is equivalent to $A equiv B equiv C$.
            $endgroup$
            – MarnixKlooster ReinstateMonica
            Sep 28 at 19:05










          • $begingroup$
            @MarnixKlooster Thanks, added.
            $endgroup$
            – Matt
            Sep 29 at 17:49












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          10 Answers
          10






          active

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          10 Answers
          10






          active

          oldest

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          active

          oldest

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          active

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          47

















          $begingroup$


          C will answer "Yes".


          Assume A is a knight. Then B and C are either both knaves or both knights.

          * If they are both knights, then all three are knights, and A and B are both therefore knights, and C will truthfully say that they are the same.

          * If B and C are both knaves, then A and B are different, and C will lie and say they are the same.


          Assume A is a knave. Then B and C are knight/knave or knave/knight.

          * If C is a knave, then A and B are different, and C will lie and say they are the same.

          * If C is a knight, then A and B are the same, and C will truthfully say they are.


          Thus, regardless of what the status of A and B are, C will answer that they are the same.







          share|improve this answer












          $endgroup$









          • 2




            $begingroup$
            This is where this intuitively felt like it was going. But I didn't finish the full logical exhaustion of possibilities.
            $endgroup$
            – Cruncher
            Sep 23 at 18:14










          • $begingroup$
            @Cruncher but there are only 4 possibilities...
            $endgroup$
            – whn
            Sep 25 at 15:31






          • 2




            $begingroup$
            @opa Which is a lot to keep straight in your head.
            $endgroup$
            – Cruncher
            Sep 25 at 16:14















          47

















          $begingroup$


          C will answer "Yes".


          Assume A is a knight. Then B and C are either both knaves or both knights.

          * If they are both knights, then all three are knights, and A and B are both therefore knights, and C will truthfully say that they are the same.

          * If B and C are both knaves, then A and B are different, and C will lie and say they are the same.


          Assume A is a knave. Then B and C are knight/knave or knave/knight.

          * If C is a knave, then A and B are different, and C will lie and say they are the same.

          * If C is a knight, then A and B are the same, and C will truthfully say they are.


          Thus, regardless of what the status of A and B are, C will answer that they are the same.







          share|improve this answer












          $endgroup$









          • 2




            $begingroup$
            This is where this intuitively felt like it was going. But I didn't finish the full logical exhaustion of possibilities.
            $endgroup$
            – Cruncher
            Sep 23 at 18:14










          • $begingroup$
            @Cruncher but there are only 4 possibilities...
            $endgroup$
            – whn
            Sep 25 at 15:31






          • 2




            $begingroup$
            @opa Which is a lot to keep straight in your head.
            $endgroup$
            – Cruncher
            Sep 25 at 16:14













          47















          47











          47







          $begingroup$


          C will answer "Yes".


          Assume A is a knight. Then B and C are either both knaves or both knights.

          * If they are both knights, then all three are knights, and A and B are both therefore knights, and C will truthfully say that they are the same.

          * If B and C are both knaves, then A and B are different, and C will lie and say they are the same.


          Assume A is a knave. Then B and C are knight/knave or knave/knight.

          * If C is a knave, then A and B are different, and C will lie and say they are the same.

          * If C is a knight, then A and B are the same, and C will truthfully say they are.


          Thus, regardless of what the status of A and B are, C will answer that they are the same.







          share|improve this answer












          $endgroup$




          C will answer "Yes".


          Assume A is a knight. Then B and C are either both knaves or both knights.

          * If they are both knights, then all three are knights, and A and B are both therefore knights, and C will truthfully say that they are the same.

          * If B and C are both knaves, then A and B are different, and C will lie and say they are the same.


          Assume A is a knave. Then B and C are knight/knave or knave/knight.

          * If C is a knave, then A and B are different, and C will lie and say they are the same.

          * If C is a knight, then A and B are the same, and C will truthfully say they are.


          Thus, regardless of what the status of A and B are, C will answer that they are the same.








          share|improve this answer















          share|improve this answer




          share|improve this answer








          edited Sep 24 at 12:37

























          answered Sep 23 at 15:23









          Jeff ZeitlinJeff Zeitlin

          3,85511 silver badges25 bronze badges




          3,85511 silver badges25 bronze badges










          • 2




            $begingroup$
            This is where this intuitively felt like it was going. But I didn't finish the full logical exhaustion of possibilities.
            $endgroup$
            – Cruncher
            Sep 23 at 18:14










          • $begingroup$
            @Cruncher but there are only 4 possibilities...
            $endgroup$
            – whn
            Sep 25 at 15:31






          • 2




            $begingroup$
            @opa Which is a lot to keep straight in your head.
            $endgroup$
            – Cruncher
            Sep 25 at 16:14












          • 2




            $begingroup$
            This is where this intuitively felt like it was going. But I didn't finish the full logical exhaustion of possibilities.
            $endgroup$
            – Cruncher
            Sep 23 at 18:14










          • $begingroup$
            @Cruncher but there are only 4 possibilities...
            $endgroup$
            – whn
            Sep 25 at 15:31






          • 2




            $begingroup$
            @opa Which is a lot to keep straight in your head.
            $endgroup$
            – Cruncher
            Sep 25 at 16:14







          2




          2




          $begingroup$
          This is where this intuitively felt like it was going. But I didn't finish the full logical exhaustion of possibilities.
          $endgroup$
          – Cruncher
          Sep 23 at 18:14




          $begingroup$
          This is where this intuitively felt like it was going. But I didn't finish the full logical exhaustion of possibilities.
          $endgroup$
          – Cruncher
          Sep 23 at 18:14












          $begingroup$
          @Cruncher but there are only 4 possibilities...
          $endgroup$
          – whn
          Sep 25 at 15:31




          $begingroup$
          @Cruncher but there are only 4 possibilities...
          $endgroup$
          – whn
          Sep 25 at 15:31




          2




          2




          $begingroup$
          @opa Which is a lot to keep straight in your head.
          $endgroup$
          – Cruncher
          Sep 25 at 16:14




          $begingroup$
          @opa Which is a lot to keep straight in your head.
          $endgroup$
          – Cruncher
          Sep 25 at 16:14













          33







          +100










          $begingroup$

          A shortcut to get the correct answer, assuming that one exists, is to simply assume that A, B and C are all knights, and thus speak the truth. In this case, C will obviously answer "Yes." And since the question implicitly assumes that C's answer is the same for any possible scenario, C must always answer "Yes."




          This, by the way, is a very handy exam-taking trick. Quite often, especially with questions like this that seem to provide too little information but still expect a definite answer, just knowing that an answer exists can make the problem much easier to solve. In particular, it means that you can freely assume any self-consistent set of values for any unspecified parameters (such as, in this case, the types of the people involved), since any choice of those unspecified parameters must necessarily yield the same answer.



          Of course, with real-world problems, one cannot generally assume that answer necessarily exists. (See e.g. this Q&A on Mathematics Educators Stack Exchange for some nice counterexamples.) Even so, sometimes it can be easier to first start with that assumption, figure out what the answer has to be if there is one, and only then try to check that the candidate answer really works in all cases. For example, in the context of this puzzle, knowing that C says "yes" in one possible scenario means that, to verify that the puzzle really has a solution, we just need to check that any scenarios where C would say "no" are not possible.






          share|improve this answer










          $endgroup$









          • 6




            $begingroup$
            Great answer. To aboid that the opener could have asked: will he always give the same answer? And if yes: what will it be?
            $endgroup$
            – Torsten Link
            Sep 24 at 22:01






          • 3




            $begingroup$
            Excellent lateral thinking.
            $endgroup$
            – Mindwin
            Sep 25 at 14:41






          • 4




            $begingroup$
            It is absolutely possible that the right exam answer is "we don't know how C will answer, based on the information we were given".
            $endgroup$
            – gnasher729
            Sep 25 at 21:27















          33







          +100










          $begingroup$

          A shortcut to get the correct answer, assuming that one exists, is to simply assume that A, B and C are all knights, and thus speak the truth. In this case, C will obviously answer "Yes." And since the question implicitly assumes that C's answer is the same for any possible scenario, C must always answer "Yes."




          This, by the way, is a very handy exam-taking trick. Quite often, especially with questions like this that seem to provide too little information but still expect a definite answer, just knowing that an answer exists can make the problem much easier to solve. In particular, it means that you can freely assume any self-consistent set of values for any unspecified parameters (such as, in this case, the types of the people involved), since any choice of those unspecified parameters must necessarily yield the same answer.



          Of course, with real-world problems, one cannot generally assume that answer necessarily exists. (See e.g. this Q&A on Mathematics Educators Stack Exchange for some nice counterexamples.) Even so, sometimes it can be easier to first start with that assumption, figure out what the answer has to be if there is one, and only then try to check that the candidate answer really works in all cases. For example, in the context of this puzzle, knowing that C says "yes" in one possible scenario means that, to verify that the puzzle really has a solution, we just need to check that any scenarios where C would say "no" are not possible.






          share|improve this answer










          $endgroup$









          • 6




            $begingroup$
            Great answer. To aboid that the opener could have asked: will he always give the same answer? And if yes: what will it be?
            $endgroup$
            – Torsten Link
            Sep 24 at 22:01






          • 3




            $begingroup$
            Excellent lateral thinking.
            $endgroup$
            – Mindwin
            Sep 25 at 14:41






          • 4




            $begingroup$
            It is absolutely possible that the right exam answer is "we don't know how C will answer, based on the information we were given".
            $endgroup$
            – gnasher729
            Sep 25 at 21:27













          33







          +100








          33







          +100




          33






          +100



          $begingroup$

          A shortcut to get the correct answer, assuming that one exists, is to simply assume that A, B and C are all knights, and thus speak the truth. In this case, C will obviously answer "Yes." And since the question implicitly assumes that C's answer is the same for any possible scenario, C must always answer "Yes."




          This, by the way, is a very handy exam-taking trick. Quite often, especially with questions like this that seem to provide too little information but still expect a definite answer, just knowing that an answer exists can make the problem much easier to solve. In particular, it means that you can freely assume any self-consistent set of values for any unspecified parameters (such as, in this case, the types of the people involved), since any choice of those unspecified parameters must necessarily yield the same answer.



          Of course, with real-world problems, one cannot generally assume that answer necessarily exists. (See e.g. this Q&A on Mathematics Educators Stack Exchange for some nice counterexamples.) Even so, sometimes it can be easier to first start with that assumption, figure out what the answer has to be if there is one, and only then try to check that the candidate answer really works in all cases. For example, in the context of this puzzle, knowing that C says "yes" in one possible scenario means that, to verify that the puzzle really has a solution, we just need to check that any scenarios where C would say "no" are not possible.






          share|improve this answer










          $endgroup$



          A shortcut to get the correct answer, assuming that one exists, is to simply assume that A, B and C are all knights, and thus speak the truth. In this case, C will obviously answer "Yes." And since the question implicitly assumes that C's answer is the same for any possible scenario, C must always answer "Yes."




          This, by the way, is a very handy exam-taking trick. Quite often, especially with questions like this that seem to provide too little information but still expect a definite answer, just knowing that an answer exists can make the problem much easier to solve. In particular, it means that you can freely assume any self-consistent set of values for any unspecified parameters (such as, in this case, the types of the people involved), since any choice of those unspecified parameters must necessarily yield the same answer.



          Of course, with real-world problems, one cannot generally assume that answer necessarily exists. (See e.g. this Q&A on Mathematics Educators Stack Exchange for some nice counterexamples.) Even so, sometimes it can be easier to first start with that assumption, figure out what the answer has to be if there is one, and only then try to check that the candidate answer really works in all cases. For example, in the context of this puzzle, knowing that C says "yes" in one possible scenario means that, to verify that the puzzle really has a solution, we just need to check that any scenarios where C would say "no" are not possible.







          share|improve this answer













          share|improve this answer




          share|improve this answer










          answered Sep 24 at 20:26









          Ilmari KaronenIlmari Karonen

          2,9481 gold badge9 silver badges19 bronze badges




          2,9481 gold badge9 silver badges19 bronze badges










          • 6




            $begingroup$
            Great answer. To aboid that the opener could have asked: will he always give the same answer? And if yes: what will it be?
            $endgroup$
            – Torsten Link
            Sep 24 at 22:01






          • 3




            $begingroup$
            Excellent lateral thinking.
            $endgroup$
            – Mindwin
            Sep 25 at 14:41






          • 4




            $begingroup$
            It is absolutely possible that the right exam answer is "we don't know how C will answer, based on the information we were given".
            $endgroup$
            – gnasher729
            Sep 25 at 21:27












          • 6




            $begingroup$
            Great answer. To aboid that the opener could have asked: will he always give the same answer? And if yes: what will it be?
            $endgroup$
            – Torsten Link
            Sep 24 at 22:01






          • 3




            $begingroup$
            Excellent lateral thinking.
            $endgroup$
            – Mindwin
            Sep 25 at 14:41






          • 4




            $begingroup$
            It is absolutely possible that the right exam answer is "we don't know how C will answer, based on the information we were given".
            $endgroup$
            – gnasher729
            Sep 25 at 21:27







          6




          6




          $begingroup$
          Great answer. To aboid that the opener could have asked: will he always give the same answer? And if yes: what will it be?
          $endgroup$
          – Torsten Link
          Sep 24 at 22:01




          $begingroup$
          Great answer. To aboid that the opener could have asked: will he always give the same answer? And if yes: what will it be?
          $endgroup$
          – Torsten Link
          Sep 24 at 22:01




          3




          3




          $begingroup$
          Excellent lateral thinking.
          $endgroup$
          – Mindwin
          Sep 25 at 14:41




          $begingroup$
          Excellent lateral thinking.
          $endgroup$
          – Mindwin
          Sep 25 at 14:41




          4




          4




          $begingroup$
          It is absolutely possible that the right exam answer is "we don't know how C will answer, based on the information we were given".
          $endgroup$
          – gnasher729
          Sep 25 at 21:27




          $begingroup$
          It is absolutely possible that the right exam answer is "we don't know how C will answer, based on the information we were given".
          $endgroup$
          – gnasher729
          Sep 25 at 21:27











          14

















          $begingroup$


          The easiest way to find the solution is to write the Truth Table listing all the possibilities whether a person tells lies or tells the truth:




          A B C

          1 lie lie lie

          2 lie lie truth

          3 lie truth lie

          4 lie truth truth

          5 truth lie lie

          6 truth lie truth

          7 truth truth lie

          8 truth truth truth




          A says "B and C are of the same type", and by this statement we can remove impossible combinations i.e. #1 and #4 (B and C being of the same type with A lying) and #6 and #7 (B and C being of a different type with A telling the truth). We are left with:


          A B C

          2 lie lie truth

          3 lie truth lie

          5 truth lie lie

          8 truth truth truth



          Now, if we ask C "Are A and B of the same type?", we can easily see he always replies yes.





          share|improve this answer












          $endgroup$









          • 1




            $begingroup$
            Thanks to @Rand al'Thor and all the others for the edits!
            $endgroup$
            – dr01
            Sep 25 at 5:48
















          14

















          $begingroup$


          The easiest way to find the solution is to write the Truth Table listing all the possibilities whether a person tells lies or tells the truth:




          A B C

          1 lie lie lie

          2 lie lie truth

          3 lie truth lie

          4 lie truth truth

          5 truth lie lie

          6 truth lie truth

          7 truth truth lie

          8 truth truth truth




          A says "B and C are of the same type", and by this statement we can remove impossible combinations i.e. #1 and #4 (B and C being of the same type with A lying) and #6 and #7 (B and C being of a different type with A telling the truth). We are left with:


          A B C

          2 lie lie truth

          3 lie truth lie

          5 truth lie lie

          8 truth truth truth



          Now, if we ask C "Are A and B of the same type?", we can easily see he always replies yes.





          share|improve this answer












          $endgroup$









          • 1




            $begingroup$
            Thanks to @Rand al'Thor and all the others for the edits!
            $endgroup$
            – dr01
            Sep 25 at 5:48














          14















          14











          14







          $begingroup$


          The easiest way to find the solution is to write the Truth Table listing all the possibilities whether a person tells lies or tells the truth:




          A B C

          1 lie lie lie

          2 lie lie truth

          3 lie truth lie

          4 lie truth truth

          5 truth lie lie

          6 truth lie truth

          7 truth truth lie

          8 truth truth truth




          A says "B and C are of the same type", and by this statement we can remove impossible combinations i.e. #1 and #4 (B and C being of the same type with A lying) and #6 and #7 (B and C being of a different type with A telling the truth). We are left with:


          A B C

          2 lie lie truth

          3 lie truth lie

          5 truth lie lie

          8 truth truth truth



          Now, if we ask C "Are A and B of the same type?", we can easily see he always replies yes.





          share|improve this answer












          $endgroup$




          The easiest way to find the solution is to write the Truth Table listing all the possibilities whether a person tells lies or tells the truth:




          A B C

          1 lie lie lie

          2 lie lie truth

          3 lie truth lie

          4 lie truth truth

          5 truth lie lie

          6 truth lie truth

          7 truth truth lie

          8 truth truth truth




          A says "B and C are of the same type", and by this statement we can remove impossible combinations i.e. #1 and #4 (B and C being of the same type with A lying) and #6 and #7 (B and C being of a different type with A telling the truth). We are left with:


          A B C

          2 lie lie truth

          3 lie truth lie

          5 truth lie lie

          8 truth truth truth



          Now, if we ask C "Are A and B of the same type?", we can easily see he always replies yes.






          share|improve this answer















          share|improve this answer




          share|improve this answer








          edited Sep 26 at 7:13

























          answered Sep 24 at 11:56









          dr01dr01

          1,19510 silver badges27 bronze badges




          1,19510 silver badges27 bronze badges










          • 1




            $begingroup$
            Thanks to @Rand al'Thor and all the others for the edits!
            $endgroup$
            – dr01
            Sep 25 at 5:48













          • 1




            $begingroup$
            Thanks to @Rand al'Thor and all the others for the edits!
            $endgroup$
            – dr01
            Sep 25 at 5:48








          1




          1




          $begingroup$
          Thanks to @Rand al'Thor and all the others for the edits!
          $endgroup$
          – dr01
          Sep 25 at 5:48





          $begingroup$
          Thanks to @Rand al'Thor and all the others for the edits!
          $endgroup$
          – dr01
          Sep 25 at 5:48












          11

















          $begingroup$


          Suppose we refer to knights and true statements as "even" and knaves and false statements as "odd". Then the statement "Knights always tell the truth" and "Knaves always tell lies" can be recast as "A person and their statement always add up to even" (even + even is even, odd + odd is also even). Two people have the same type iff they add up to even. So A will say "B and C are the same type" only if the sum of "B and C are the same type" and A is even, i.e. A+(B+C) = even. This is completely symmetrical with respect to A, B, and C, so if A says "B and C are the same type", then C will say "A and B are the same type."







          share|improve this answer










          $endgroup$









          • 1




            $begingroup$
            This was my reasoning as well. It's awful hard to explain, though - I suspect it needs to be explained more clearly, though I'm not sure how.
            $endgroup$
            – Brilliand
            Sep 24 at 13:20






          • 1




            $begingroup$
            This can be generalised to any number of people if the question is instead "Excluding yourself, are there an even number of knights here?", which is logically equivalent to the original for three people.
            $endgroup$
            – Zandar
            Sep 25 at 7:11






          • 1




            $begingroup$
            @Zandar That comment also gives a neat simplification of the thought process in this answer: A knight's and a knave's answer to "Excluding yourself, are there an even number of knights here?" is actually an honest answer to "Are there an odd number of knights here in total?" So we immediately see that everyone answers that question the same way.
            $endgroup$
            – JiK
            Sep 25 at 21:21















          11

















          $begingroup$


          Suppose we refer to knights and true statements as "even" and knaves and false statements as "odd". Then the statement "Knights always tell the truth" and "Knaves always tell lies" can be recast as "A person and their statement always add up to even" (even + even is even, odd + odd is also even). Two people have the same type iff they add up to even. So A will say "B and C are the same type" only if the sum of "B and C are the same type" and A is even, i.e. A+(B+C) = even. This is completely symmetrical with respect to A, B, and C, so if A says "B and C are the same type", then C will say "A and B are the same type."







          share|improve this answer










          $endgroup$









          • 1




            $begingroup$
            This was my reasoning as well. It's awful hard to explain, though - I suspect it needs to be explained more clearly, though I'm not sure how.
            $endgroup$
            – Brilliand
            Sep 24 at 13:20






          • 1




            $begingroup$
            This can be generalised to any number of people if the question is instead "Excluding yourself, are there an even number of knights here?", which is logically equivalent to the original for three people.
            $endgroup$
            – Zandar
            Sep 25 at 7:11






          • 1




            $begingroup$
            @Zandar That comment also gives a neat simplification of the thought process in this answer: A knight's and a knave's answer to "Excluding yourself, are there an even number of knights here?" is actually an honest answer to "Are there an odd number of knights here in total?" So we immediately see that everyone answers that question the same way.
            $endgroup$
            – JiK
            Sep 25 at 21:21













          11















          11











          11







          $begingroup$


          Suppose we refer to knights and true statements as "even" and knaves and false statements as "odd". Then the statement "Knights always tell the truth" and "Knaves always tell lies" can be recast as "A person and their statement always add up to even" (even + even is even, odd + odd is also even). Two people have the same type iff they add up to even. So A will say "B and C are the same type" only if the sum of "B and C are the same type" and A is even, i.e. A+(B+C) = even. This is completely symmetrical with respect to A, B, and C, so if A says "B and C are the same type", then C will say "A and B are the same type."







          share|improve this answer










          $endgroup$




          Suppose we refer to knights and true statements as "even" and knaves and false statements as "odd". Then the statement "Knights always tell the truth" and "Knaves always tell lies" can be recast as "A person and their statement always add up to even" (even + even is even, odd + odd is also even). Two people have the same type iff they add up to even. So A will say "B and C are the same type" only if the sum of "B and C are the same type" and A is even, i.e. A+(B+C) = even. This is completely symmetrical with respect to A, B, and C, so if A says "B and C are the same type", then C will say "A and B are the same type."








          share|improve this answer













          share|improve this answer




          share|improve this answer










          answered Sep 23 at 19:46









          AcccumulationAcccumulation

          7792 silver badges12 bronze badges




          7792 silver badges12 bronze badges










          • 1




            $begingroup$
            This was my reasoning as well. It's awful hard to explain, though - I suspect it needs to be explained more clearly, though I'm not sure how.
            $endgroup$
            – Brilliand
            Sep 24 at 13:20






          • 1




            $begingroup$
            This can be generalised to any number of people if the question is instead "Excluding yourself, are there an even number of knights here?", which is logically equivalent to the original for three people.
            $endgroup$
            – Zandar
            Sep 25 at 7:11






          • 1




            $begingroup$
            @Zandar That comment also gives a neat simplification of the thought process in this answer: A knight's and a knave's answer to "Excluding yourself, are there an even number of knights here?" is actually an honest answer to "Are there an odd number of knights here in total?" So we immediately see that everyone answers that question the same way.
            $endgroup$
            – JiK
            Sep 25 at 21:21












          • 1




            $begingroup$
            This was my reasoning as well. It's awful hard to explain, though - I suspect it needs to be explained more clearly, though I'm not sure how.
            $endgroup$
            – Brilliand
            Sep 24 at 13:20






          • 1




            $begingroup$
            This can be generalised to any number of people if the question is instead "Excluding yourself, are there an even number of knights here?", which is logically equivalent to the original for three people.
            $endgroup$
            – Zandar
            Sep 25 at 7:11






          • 1




            $begingroup$
            @Zandar That comment also gives a neat simplification of the thought process in this answer: A knight's and a knave's answer to "Excluding yourself, are there an even number of knights here?" is actually an honest answer to "Are there an odd number of knights here in total?" So we immediately see that everyone answers that question the same way.
            $endgroup$
            – JiK
            Sep 25 at 21:21







          1




          1




          $begingroup$
          This was my reasoning as well. It's awful hard to explain, though - I suspect it needs to be explained more clearly, though I'm not sure how.
          $endgroup$
          – Brilliand
          Sep 24 at 13:20




          $begingroup$
          This was my reasoning as well. It's awful hard to explain, though - I suspect it needs to be explained more clearly, though I'm not sure how.
          $endgroup$
          – Brilliand
          Sep 24 at 13:20




          1




          1




          $begingroup$
          This can be generalised to any number of people if the question is instead "Excluding yourself, are there an even number of knights here?", which is logically equivalent to the original for three people.
          $endgroup$
          – Zandar
          Sep 25 at 7:11




          $begingroup$
          This can be generalised to any number of people if the question is instead "Excluding yourself, are there an even number of knights here?", which is logically equivalent to the original for three people.
          $endgroup$
          – Zandar
          Sep 25 at 7:11




          1




          1




          $begingroup$
          @Zandar That comment also gives a neat simplification of the thought process in this answer: A knight's and a knave's answer to "Excluding yourself, are there an even number of knights here?" is actually an honest answer to "Are there an odd number of knights here in total?" So we immediately see that everyone answers that question the same way.
          $endgroup$
          – JiK
          Sep 25 at 21:21




          $begingroup$
          @Zandar That comment also gives a neat simplification of the thought process in this answer: A knight's and a knave's answer to "Excluding yourself, are there an even number of knights here?" is actually an honest answer to "Are there an odd number of knights here in total?" So we immediately see that everyone answers that question the same way.
          $endgroup$
          – JiK
          Sep 25 at 21:21











          3

















          $begingroup$

          I would use simple propositional logic for problems of this type. Let $a,b,c$ represent 'A is a knight', etc, and let $x$ stand for an arbitrary person so that
          $$
          xtext says unicodex201c P unicodex201d implies (x equiv P)
          $$

          Then...




          ...the first statement implies $a equiv (b equiv c)$, and the second implies $c equiv ((a equiv b) equiv r)$, where $r$ is C's response.


          Now since $equiv$ is associative and symmetric, substituting the first in the second simplifies to $r equiv texttrue$, i.e., C's response is "Yes."







          share|improve this answer












          $endgroup$


















            3

















            $begingroup$

            I would use simple propositional logic for problems of this type. Let $a,b,c$ represent 'A is a knight', etc, and let $x$ stand for an arbitrary person so that
            $$
            xtext says unicodex201c P unicodex201d implies (x equiv P)
            $$

            Then...




            ...the first statement implies $a equiv (b equiv c)$, and the second implies $c equiv ((a equiv b) equiv r)$, where $r$ is C's response.


            Now since $equiv$ is associative and symmetric, substituting the first in the second simplifies to $r equiv texttrue$, i.e., C's response is "Yes."







            share|improve this answer












            $endgroup$
















              3















              3











              3







              $begingroup$

              I would use simple propositional logic for problems of this type. Let $a,b,c$ represent 'A is a knight', etc, and let $x$ stand for an arbitrary person so that
              $$
              xtext says unicodex201c P unicodex201d implies (x equiv P)
              $$

              Then...




              ...the first statement implies $a equiv (b equiv c)$, and the second implies $c equiv ((a equiv b) equiv r)$, where $r$ is C's response.


              Now since $equiv$ is associative and symmetric, substituting the first in the second simplifies to $r equiv texttrue$, i.e., C's response is "Yes."







              share|improve this answer












              $endgroup$



              I would use simple propositional logic for problems of this type. Let $a,b,c$ represent 'A is a knight', etc, and let $x$ stand for an arbitrary person so that
              $$
              xtext says unicodex201c P unicodex201d implies (x equiv P)
              $$

              Then...




              ...the first statement implies $a equiv (b equiv c)$, and the second implies $c equiv ((a equiv b) equiv r)$, where $r$ is C's response.


              Now since $equiv$ is associative and symmetric, substituting the first in the second simplifies to $r equiv texttrue$, i.e., C's response is "Yes."








              share|improve this answer















              share|improve this answer




              share|improve this answer








              edited Sep 26 at 10:42

























              answered Sep 26 at 10:01









              MarnixKlooster ReinstateMonicaMarnixKlooster ReinstateMonica

              1315 bronze badges




              1315 bronze badges
























                  1

















                  $begingroup$

                  Suppose A is a knight.




                  Then either B and C are both knights, or B and C are both knaves.

                  If B and C are both knights, then C would truthfully reply that A and B are of the same type. So C would say "yes".

                  If B and C are knaves, then C would lie that A and B are of the same type. So C would say "yes".




                  Suppose A is a knave.




                  Then A lies when he says that B and C are of the same type. Thus B and C are of different types.

                  Suppose B is a knave and C a knight. Then C truthfully replies that A and B are of the same type. So C says "yes".

                  Suppose B is a knight and C a knave. Then C lies when he says A and B are of the same type. So C says "yes".




                  This covers all scenarios, so we can say that C will always say "Yes, A and B are of the same type".






                  share|improve this answer












                  $endgroup$


















                    1

















                    $begingroup$

                    Suppose A is a knight.




                    Then either B and C are both knights, or B and C are both knaves.

                    If B and C are both knights, then C would truthfully reply that A and B are of the same type. So C would say "yes".

                    If B and C are knaves, then C would lie that A and B are of the same type. So C would say "yes".




                    Suppose A is a knave.




                    Then A lies when he says that B and C are of the same type. Thus B and C are of different types.

                    Suppose B is a knave and C a knight. Then C truthfully replies that A and B are of the same type. So C says "yes".

                    Suppose B is a knight and C a knave. Then C lies when he says A and B are of the same type. So C says "yes".




                    This covers all scenarios, so we can say that C will always say "Yes, A and B are of the same type".






                    share|improve this answer












                    $endgroup$
















                      1















                      1











                      1







                      $begingroup$

                      Suppose A is a knight.




                      Then either B and C are both knights, or B and C are both knaves.

                      If B and C are both knights, then C would truthfully reply that A and B are of the same type. So C would say "yes".

                      If B and C are knaves, then C would lie that A and B are of the same type. So C would say "yes".




                      Suppose A is a knave.




                      Then A lies when he says that B and C are of the same type. Thus B and C are of different types.

                      Suppose B is a knave and C a knight. Then C truthfully replies that A and B are of the same type. So C says "yes".

                      Suppose B is a knight and C a knave. Then C lies when he says A and B are of the same type. So C says "yes".




                      This covers all scenarios, so we can say that C will always say "Yes, A and B are of the same type".






                      share|improve this answer












                      $endgroup$



                      Suppose A is a knight.




                      Then either B and C are both knights, or B and C are both knaves.

                      If B and C are both knights, then C would truthfully reply that A and B are of the same type. So C would say "yes".

                      If B and C are knaves, then C would lie that A and B are of the same type. So C would say "yes".




                      Suppose A is a knave.




                      Then A lies when he says that B and C are of the same type. Thus B and C are of different types.

                      Suppose B is a knave and C a knight. Then C truthfully replies that A and B are of the same type. So C says "yes".

                      Suppose B is a knight and C a knave. Then C lies when he says A and B are of the same type. So C says "yes".




                      This covers all scenarios, so we can say that C will always say "Yes, A and B are of the same type".







                      share|improve this answer















                      share|improve this answer




                      share|improve this answer








                      edited Sep 25 at 4:32









                      Rubio

                      37.6k6 gold badges79 silver badges205 bronze badges




                      37.6k6 gold badges79 silver badges205 bronze badges










                      answered Sep 24 at 17:43









                      Kyle PenaKyle Pena

                      1111 bronze badge




                      1111 bronze badge
























                          1

















                          $begingroup$


                          If A is a Knight, then he is telling the truth, and both B and C are of the same type. This gives us two possibilities: that B and C are both Knights, or that B and C are both Knaves.





                          • If B and C are both Knights, then that means C is a Knight, and C must tell the truth. Since B is a Knight and A is a Knight, C will truthfully tell us that yes, they are the same type.




                          • If B and C are both Knaves, then that means that C is a Knave, and C must tell a lie. Since B is a Knave and A is a Knight, C will falsely tell us that yes, they are the same type.




                          Now consider the possibility that A is a Knave. In this case, A is telling a lie, and B and C are not the same type, and must in face be two different types. This gives us two possibilities: that B is a Knight and C is a Knave, or that B is a Knave and C is a Knight.





                          • If B is a Knight and C is a Knave, then C must tell a lie. Since A is a Knave and B is a Knight, C will tell us that yes, they are the same type, even though they are not.




                          • If B is a Knave and C is a Knight, then C must tell the truth. Since A is a Knave and B is also a Knave, C will tell us that yes, they are the same type.




                          As you can see, every possible combination results in C telling us yes, A and B are the same type. Now, whether he's lying or not is another story entirely.







                          share|improve this answer










                          $endgroup$


















                            1

















                            $begingroup$


                            If A is a Knight, then he is telling the truth, and both B and C are of the same type. This gives us two possibilities: that B and C are both Knights, or that B and C are both Knaves.





                            • If B and C are both Knights, then that means C is a Knight, and C must tell the truth. Since B is a Knight and A is a Knight, C will truthfully tell us that yes, they are the same type.




                            • If B and C are both Knaves, then that means that C is a Knave, and C must tell a lie. Since B is a Knave and A is a Knight, C will falsely tell us that yes, they are the same type.




                            Now consider the possibility that A is a Knave. In this case, A is telling a lie, and B and C are not the same type, and must in face be two different types. This gives us two possibilities: that B is a Knight and C is a Knave, or that B is a Knave and C is a Knight.





                            • If B is a Knight and C is a Knave, then C must tell a lie. Since A is a Knave and B is a Knight, C will tell us that yes, they are the same type, even though they are not.




                            • If B is a Knave and C is a Knight, then C must tell the truth. Since A is a Knave and B is also a Knave, C will tell us that yes, they are the same type.




                            As you can see, every possible combination results in C telling us yes, A and B are the same type. Now, whether he's lying or not is another story entirely.







                            share|improve this answer










                            $endgroup$
















                              1















                              1











                              1







                              $begingroup$


                              If A is a Knight, then he is telling the truth, and both B and C are of the same type. This gives us two possibilities: that B and C are both Knights, or that B and C are both Knaves.





                              • If B and C are both Knights, then that means C is a Knight, and C must tell the truth. Since B is a Knight and A is a Knight, C will truthfully tell us that yes, they are the same type.




                              • If B and C are both Knaves, then that means that C is a Knave, and C must tell a lie. Since B is a Knave and A is a Knight, C will falsely tell us that yes, they are the same type.




                              Now consider the possibility that A is a Knave. In this case, A is telling a lie, and B and C are not the same type, and must in face be two different types. This gives us two possibilities: that B is a Knight and C is a Knave, or that B is a Knave and C is a Knight.





                              • If B is a Knight and C is a Knave, then C must tell a lie. Since A is a Knave and B is a Knight, C will tell us that yes, they are the same type, even though they are not.




                              • If B is a Knave and C is a Knight, then C must tell the truth. Since A is a Knave and B is also a Knave, C will tell us that yes, they are the same type.




                              As you can see, every possible combination results in C telling us yes, A and B are the same type. Now, whether he's lying or not is another story entirely.







                              share|improve this answer










                              $endgroup$




                              If A is a Knight, then he is telling the truth, and both B and C are of the same type. This gives us two possibilities: that B and C are both Knights, or that B and C are both Knaves.





                              • If B and C are both Knights, then that means C is a Knight, and C must tell the truth. Since B is a Knight and A is a Knight, C will truthfully tell us that yes, they are the same type.




                              • If B and C are both Knaves, then that means that C is a Knave, and C must tell a lie. Since B is a Knave and A is a Knight, C will falsely tell us that yes, they are the same type.




                              Now consider the possibility that A is a Knave. In this case, A is telling a lie, and B and C are not the same type, and must in face be two different types. This gives us two possibilities: that B is a Knight and C is a Knave, or that B is a Knave and C is a Knight.





                              • If B is a Knight and C is a Knave, then C must tell a lie. Since A is a Knave and B is a Knight, C will tell us that yes, they are the same type, even though they are not.




                              • If B is a Knave and C is a Knight, then C must tell the truth. Since A is a Knave and B is also a Knave, C will tell us that yes, they are the same type.




                              As you can see, every possible combination results in C telling us yes, A and B are the same type. Now, whether he's lying or not is another story entirely.








                              share|improve this answer













                              share|improve this answer




                              share|improve this answer










                              answered Sep 26 at 11:32









                              ribs2spareribs2spare

                              1612 bronze badges




                              1612 bronze badges
























                                  0

















                                  $begingroup$


                                  Let A, B and C be represented by "true" and "false" instead of "knight" and "knave". Then the act of A answering a proposition P is the result of the exclusive nor (xnor) of A with P. Conveniently, the proposition "are B and C of the same type" is also an xnor operation, so A's final answer is given by (A xnor (B xnor C)). However, the xnor operation is associative and commutative, so this can be written ((A xnor B) xnor C), which is the result of C answering the proposition "are A and B of the same type". This means that C's answer is always the same as the answer A gave.







                                  share|improve this answer










                                  $endgroup$









                                  • 1




                                    $begingroup$
                                    Note that 'exclusive nor' is just a convoluted way to say 'equals'. :-)
                                    $endgroup$
                                    – MarnixKlooster ReinstateMonica
                                    Sep 26 at 10:00











                                  • $begingroup$
                                    See also page 59 of Dijkstra&Scholten, "Predicate Calculus and Program Semantics" (Google Books link).
                                    $endgroup$
                                    – MarnixKlooster ReinstateMonica
                                    Sep 26 at 10:44















                                  0

















                                  $begingroup$


                                  Let A, B and C be represented by "true" and "false" instead of "knight" and "knave". Then the act of A answering a proposition P is the result of the exclusive nor (xnor) of A with P. Conveniently, the proposition "are B and C of the same type" is also an xnor operation, so A's final answer is given by (A xnor (B xnor C)). However, the xnor operation is associative and commutative, so this can be written ((A xnor B) xnor C), which is the result of C answering the proposition "are A and B of the same type". This means that C's answer is always the same as the answer A gave.







                                  share|improve this answer










                                  $endgroup$









                                  • 1




                                    $begingroup$
                                    Note that 'exclusive nor' is just a convoluted way to say 'equals'. :-)
                                    $endgroup$
                                    – MarnixKlooster ReinstateMonica
                                    Sep 26 at 10:00











                                  • $begingroup$
                                    See also page 59 of Dijkstra&Scholten, "Predicate Calculus and Program Semantics" (Google Books link).
                                    $endgroup$
                                    – MarnixKlooster ReinstateMonica
                                    Sep 26 at 10:44













                                  0















                                  0











                                  0







                                  $begingroup$


                                  Let A, B and C be represented by "true" and "false" instead of "knight" and "knave". Then the act of A answering a proposition P is the result of the exclusive nor (xnor) of A with P. Conveniently, the proposition "are B and C of the same type" is also an xnor operation, so A's final answer is given by (A xnor (B xnor C)). However, the xnor operation is associative and commutative, so this can be written ((A xnor B) xnor C), which is the result of C answering the proposition "are A and B of the same type". This means that C's answer is always the same as the answer A gave.







                                  share|improve this answer










                                  $endgroup$




                                  Let A, B and C be represented by "true" and "false" instead of "knight" and "knave". Then the act of A answering a proposition P is the result of the exclusive nor (xnor) of A with P. Conveniently, the proposition "are B and C of the same type" is also an xnor operation, so A's final answer is given by (A xnor (B xnor C)). However, the xnor operation is associative and commutative, so this can be written ((A xnor B) xnor C), which is the result of C answering the proposition "are A and B of the same type". This means that C's answer is always the same as the answer A gave.








                                  share|improve this answer













                                  share|improve this answer




                                  share|improve this answer










                                  answered Sep 26 at 9:37









                                  NeilNeil

                                  3233 silver badges7 bronze badges




                                  3233 silver badges7 bronze badges










                                  • 1




                                    $begingroup$
                                    Note that 'exclusive nor' is just a convoluted way to say 'equals'. :-)
                                    $endgroup$
                                    – MarnixKlooster ReinstateMonica
                                    Sep 26 at 10:00











                                  • $begingroup$
                                    See also page 59 of Dijkstra&Scholten, "Predicate Calculus and Program Semantics" (Google Books link).
                                    $endgroup$
                                    – MarnixKlooster ReinstateMonica
                                    Sep 26 at 10:44












                                  • 1




                                    $begingroup$
                                    Note that 'exclusive nor' is just a convoluted way to say 'equals'. :-)
                                    $endgroup$
                                    – MarnixKlooster ReinstateMonica
                                    Sep 26 at 10:00











                                  • $begingroup$
                                    See also page 59 of Dijkstra&Scholten, "Predicate Calculus and Program Semantics" (Google Books link).
                                    $endgroup$
                                    – MarnixKlooster ReinstateMonica
                                    Sep 26 at 10:44







                                  1




                                  1




                                  $begingroup$
                                  Note that 'exclusive nor' is just a convoluted way to say 'equals'. :-)
                                  $endgroup$
                                  – MarnixKlooster ReinstateMonica
                                  Sep 26 at 10:00





                                  $begingroup$
                                  Note that 'exclusive nor' is just a convoluted way to say 'equals'. :-)
                                  $endgroup$
                                  – MarnixKlooster ReinstateMonica
                                  Sep 26 at 10:00













                                  $begingroup$
                                  See also page 59 of Dijkstra&Scholten, "Predicate Calculus and Program Semantics" (Google Books link).
                                  $endgroup$
                                  – MarnixKlooster ReinstateMonica
                                  Sep 26 at 10:44




                                  $begingroup$
                                  See also page 59 of Dijkstra&Scholten, "Predicate Calculus and Program Semantics" (Google Books link).
                                  $endgroup$
                                  – MarnixKlooster ReinstateMonica
                                  Sep 26 at 10:44











                                  0

















                                  $begingroup$

                                  The puzzle doesn't actually state that each of A, B or C know what type the others are.




                                  But in this case we do know that A knows what type B or C are (because neither knight nor knave would make a statement that they don't know to be true or false. )

                                  So either A is a knight and B, C are of the same type, or A is a knave and B, C are of different type. We know that, C knows that, and C knows his own type, so according to the previous analysis, C would say they are both of the same type.

                                  It would have been different if A had said "I know that B and C are of the same type". A could be a knight, but A might also be a knave who doesn't know either B's or C's type. Even if C knows his own type, if he doesn't know B's type then A's statement doesn't give him that information.

                                  So C wouldn't know B's type. If C is a knight he would say "I don't know if A and B are of the same type". If C is a knave he can't say "A and B are of the same / of different type", because he doesn't know if that statement would be true or false. He can say either "I know that A and B are of the same type", or he can say "I know that A and B are of different type".







                                  share|improve this answer












                                  $endgroup$


















                                    0

















                                    $begingroup$

                                    The puzzle doesn't actually state that each of A, B or C know what type the others are.




                                    But in this case we do know that A knows what type B or C are (because neither knight nor knave would make a statement that they don't know to be true or false. )

                                    So either A is a knight and B, C are of the same type, or A is a knave and B, C are of different type. We know that, C knows that, and C knows his own type, so according to the previous analysis, C would say they are both of the same type.

                                    It would have been different if A had said "I know that B and C are of the same type". A could be a knight, but A might also be a knave who doesn't know either B's or C's type. Even if C knows his own type, if he doesn't know B's type then A's statement doesn't give him that information.

                                    So C wouldn't know B's type. If C is a knight he would say "I don't know if A and B are of the same type". If C is a knave he can't say "A and B are of the same / of different type", because he doesn't know if that statement would be true or false. He can say either "I know that A and B are of the same type", or he can say "I know that A and B are of different type".







                                    share|improve this answer












                                    $endgroup$
















                                      0















                                      0











                                      0







                                      $begingroup$

                                      The puzzle doesn't actually state that each of A, B or C know what type the others are.




                                      But in this case we do know that A knows what type B or C are (because neither knight nor knave would make a statement that they don't know to be true or false. )

                                      So either A is a knight and B, C are of the same type, or A is a knave and B, C are of different type. We know that, C knows that, and C knows his own type, so according to the previous analysis, C would say they are both of the same type.

                                      It would have been different if A had said "I know that B and C are of the same type". A could be a knight, but A might also be a knave who doesn't know either B's or C's type. Even if C knows his own type, if he doesn't know B's type then A's statement doesn't give him that information.

                                      So C wouldn't know B's type. If C is a knight he would say "I don't know if A and B are of the same type". If C is a knave he can't say "A and B are of the same / of different type", because he doesn't know if that statement would be true or false. He can say either "I know that A and B are of the same type", or he can say "I know that A and B are of different type".







                                      share|improve this answer












                                      $endgroup$



                                      The puzzle doesn't actually state that each of A, B or C know what type the others are.




                                      But in this case we do know that A knows what type B or C are (because neither knight nor knave would make a statement that they don't know to be true or false. )

                                      So either A is a knight and B, C are of the same type, or A is a knave and B, C are of different type. We know that, C knows that, and C knows his own type, so according to the previous analysis, C would say they are both of the same type.

                                      It would have been different if A had said "I know that B and C are of the same type". A could be a knight, but A might also be a knave who doesn't know either B's or C's type. Even if C knows his own type, if he doesn't know B's type then A's statement doesn't give him that information.

                                      So C wouldn't know B's type. If C is a knight he would say "I don't know if A and B are of the same type". If C is a knave he can't say "A and B are of the same / of different type", because he doesn't know if that statement would be true or false. He can say either "I know that A and B are of the same type", or he can say "I know that A and B are of different type".








                                      share|improve this answer















                                      share|improve this answer




                                      share|improve this answer








                                      edited Sep 26 at 9:43









                                      Mohit Jain

                                      3,50420 silver badges43 bronze badges




                                      3,50420 silver badges43 bronze badges










                                      answered Sep 26 at 6:35









                                      gnasher729gnasher729

                                      7563 silver badges6 bronze badges




                                      7563 silver badges6 bronze badges
























                                          0

















                                          $begingroup$


                                          If a knight is 0, and a knave is 1, then A's statement tells us that A + B + C is even. And C answering "Yes" means the same thing, by symmetry. (And "No" would mean A+B+C is odd.) So C must answer "Yes".




                                          (Logically, this is similar to the answers of Accumulation, Neil, and Marnix Klooster.)






                                          share|improve this answer












                                          $endgroup$













                                          • $begingroup$
                                            And to mine, if you write A+B+C as $A notequiv B notequiv C$ which is equivalent to $A equiv B equiv C$.
                                            $endgroup$
                                            – MarnixKlooster ReinstateMonica
                                            Sep 28 at 19:05










                                          • $begingroup$
                                            @MarnixKlooster Thanks, added.
                                            $endgroup$
                                            – Matt
                                            Sep 29 at 17:49















                                          0

















                                          $begingroup$


                                          If a knight is 0, and a knave is 1, then A's statement tells us that A + B + C is even. And C answering "Yes" means the same thing, by symmetry. (And "No" would mean A+B+C is odd.) So C must answer "Yes".




                                          (Logically, this is similar to the answers of Accumulation, Neil, and Marnix Klooster.)






                                          share|improve this answer












                                          $endgroup$













                                          • $begingroup$
                                            And to mine, if you write A+B+C as $A notequiv B notequiv C$ which is equivalent to $A equiv B equiv C$.
                                            $endgroup$
                                            – MarnixKlooster ReinstateMonica
                                            Sep 28 at 19:05










                                          • $begingroup$
                                            @MarnixKlooster Thanks, added.
                                            $endgroup$
                                            – Matt
                                            Sep 29 at 17:49













                                          0















                                          0











                                          0







                                          $begingroup$


                                          If a knight is 0, and a knave is 1, then A's statement tells us that A + B + C is even. And C answering "Yes" means the same thing, by symmetry. (And "No" would mean A+B+C is odd.) So C must answer "Yes".




                                          (Logically, this is similar to the answers of Accumulation, Neil, and Marnix Klooster.)






                                          share|improve this answer












                                          $endgroup$




                                          If a knight is 0, and a knave is 1, then A's statement tells us that A + B + C is even. And C answering "Yes" means the same thing, by symmetry. (And "No" would mean A+B+C is odd.) So C must answer "Yes".




                                          (Logically, this is similar to the answers of Accumulation, Neil, and Marnix Klooster.)







                                          share|improve this answer















                                          share|improve this answer




                                          share|improve this answer








                                          edited Sep 29 at 17:48

























                                          answered Sep 28 at 0:42









                                          MattMatt

                                          1031 bronze badge




                                          1031 bronze badge














                                          • $begingroup$
                                            And to mine, if you write A+B+C as $A notequiv B notequiv C$ which is equivalent to $A equiv B equiv C$.
                                            $endgroup$
                                            – MarnixKlooster ReinstateMonica
                                            Sep 28 at 19:05










                                          • $begingroup$
                                            @MarnixKlooster Thanks, added.
                                            $endgroup$
                                            – Matt
                                            Sep 29 at 17:49
















                                          • $begingroup$
                                            And to mine, if you write A+B+C as $A notequiv B notequiv C$ which is equivalent to $A equiv B equiv C$.
                                            $endgroup$
                                            – MarnixKlooster ReinstateMonica
                                            Sep 28 at 19:05










                                          • $begingroup$
                                            @MarnixKlooster Thanks, added.
                                            $endgroup$
                                            – Matt
                                            Sep 29 at 17:49















                                          $begingroup$
                                          And to mine, if you write A+B+C as $A notequiv B notequiv C$ which is equivalent to $A equiv B equiv C$.
                                          $endgroup$
                                          – MarnixKlooster ReinstateMonica
                                          Sep 28 at 19:05




                                          $begingroup$
                                          And to mine, if you write A+B+C as $A notequiv B notequiv C$ which is equivalent to $A equiv B equiv C$.
                                          $endgroup$
                                          – MarnixKlooster ReinstateMonica
                                          Sep 28 at 19:05












                                          $begingroup$
                                          @MarnixKlooster Thanks, added.
                                          $endgroup$
                                          – Matt
                                          Sep 29 at 17:49




                                          $begingroup$
                                          @MarnixKlooster Thanks, added.
                                          $endgroup$
                                          – Matt
                                          Sep 29 at 17:49


















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