This problem was made by a person named Alex Lee in 1996. I do not know the answer myself, but hopefully, some of you will contribute with an useful suggestion.
OK, here's the problem called the King & Cross-problem:
1. There is a room shaped like a cross.
2. In the east end there is a well, with a bucket to draw water.
3. In the west end there is a wall of glass, behind which is a wall of water.
4. In the south end there is a wall of fire.
5. In the north end there is a king on a throne. The king can do anything.
6. You are in the middle of the room. You have a paper bag and a banana.
How do you get out?
I don't know if getting past the walls of glass, water and fire would lead to an exit. And I don't know what the king has got to do with it, or what's meant by `can do anything'. 🙂
Originally posted by zambaBrake the glass wall with the bucket and the water will rush in and put the fire out and you can get out...😀
This problem was made by a person named Alex Lee in 1996. I do not know the answer myself, but hopefully, some of you will contribute with an useful suggestion.
OK, here's the problem called the King & Cross-problem:
1. There is a room shaped like a cross.
2. In the east end there is a well, with a bucket to draw water.
3. In the west end there is a ...[text shortened]... nd I don't know what the king has got to do with it, or what's meant by `can do anything'. 🙂
or because the king can do anything tell him to put the fire out😉
UncleAdam: We wouldn't know if putting out the fire wields an exit or not.
bbarr: Your suggestion is indeed interesting. The problem was introduced to me by an American, so I'll have to wait a bit more before he's back online. I will, however, let you know what his reply to that suggestion is.
In the meantime, just come with some more suggestions. 🙂
Originally posted by zambaThe suggestion is that since the statement 'the King can do anything' implies a contradiction, and since one can derive any proposition at all from a logical contradiction, one can derive the proposition 'I leave any way I want'. Similarly, however, I can derive 'You are absolutely unable to leave'. Which of us is right?
This is a new suggestion, that's rather original: (Not made by me, though.)
The king can do anything. Thus, the king can make a rock he can't lift. But this contradicts the fact that the king can do anything. Thus, this axiomatic system is inconsistent, so you can get out any way you like.
Originally posted by bbarrI'd guess none of us. 🙂
The suggestion is that since the statement 'the King can do anything' implies a contradiction, and since one can derive any proposition at all from a logical contradiction, one can derive the proposition 'I leave any way I want'. Similarly, however, I can derive 'You are absolutely unable to leave'. Which of us is right?
Argh. This problem is really eating me up. I'm starting to believe that this problem has no solution, and that it's made up just to annoy people. I'm annoyed. It works.
there are either missing details or the problem is made up to irritate you. maybe the room isn't really a room? it could represent a map, or <hippie> totally like an astrological star chart</hippie>. maybe the king is supposed to represent god and its some form of cryptoreligious indoctrination to be steered well clear of before the king puts cyanide in the koolaid and makes you drink it out of the bucket...