Nope, wrong again CCL ;)
There's no official definition of terrorism, nor of a terrorist [img]tongue.gif[/img]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Legolas:
Nope, wrong again CCL ;)
There's no official definition of terrorism, nor of a terrorist [img]tongue.gif[/img]

<hr></blockquote>

for god's sake, I am just kidding elf! you need to sit down with me and drink some darkbrew like the old days. me thinks ye are too stressed by these brain sucking riddles

Oh these are fun aren't they. Here's a good one, not all that hard really just a bit of maths.

U2 need to get across a foot bridge to a concert. They havce 17 minutes to get there but it is dark and they must walk with a torch as they are all afraid of the dark. They can walk by themselves over the bridge or in twos. They must always walk with the torch and can never throw the torch - it must be carried everywhere. They walk at these speeds:

Bono - 1 minute,
Edge - 2 minutes,
Larry - 5 minutes,
Adam - 10 minutes.

They have to walk at the speed of the slower. Which combinatin do they use to get over.

SPOILER for the riddle of the wizard in the tower
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The wizard cuts the chair in half. He then has two halves, which make a whole. He can then exit through the (w)hole. Well, it is lateral. Its not supposed to actually make sense.

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Talthyr Malkaviel:
I've got one. (It's lateral thinking)

Anthony and Cleopatra are lying dead on the floor.
Near them is a table, which has been skewed slightly, a bowl lies smashed on the floor, and there is a puddle of water on the floor.
They did not drown and they did not kill each other.
How did they die?<hr></blockquote>

one of them bent over to tie his shoes, then stood up, head hit the table, died. the bowl fell, and broke. water came out

the other guy... well... died of fell over laughing

What? You were kidding? [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Well, I won't reject the offer of a good mug o' darkbrew [img]smile.gif[/img]
Where's yer bar?


Oh, right, the other riddle. If they didn't kill eachother, maybe they killed themsleves. Or there was a third person. Or I'm thinking I don't have all the information I need to exclude certain deaths...

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Barry the Sprout:
Oh these are fun aren't they. Here's a good one, not all that hard really just a bit of maths.

U2 need to get across a foot bridge to a concert. They havce 17 minutes to get there but it is dark and they must walk with a torch as they are all afraid of the dark. They can walk by themselves over the bridge or in twos. They must always walk with the torch and can never throw the torch - it must be carried everywhere. They walk at these speeds:

Bono - 1 minute,
Edge - 2 minutes,
Larry - 5 minutes,
Adam - 10 minutes.

They have to walk at the speed of the slower. Which combinatin do they use to get over.

<hr></blockquote>


First, Bono and Edge.
Then, one goes back (say, Bono)
Larry and Adam cross
Edge goes back
Bono and Edge cross

Bono - 1 minute,
Edge - 2 minutes,
Larry - 5 minutes,
Adam - 10 minutes.

Bono and Edge go first, Bono come back: 3 mins
Larry and Adam next, Edge come back: 15 mins
Edge and Bono go last: 17 mins

Just a small warning from a poster to this thread yesterday:

I had a terrible nightmare,a headache like never before the next day and i'm still kicking myself for not getting the answer to Legolas' riddle.Just think about that before you join this thread here..... [img]smile.gif[/img]

j/k [img]graemlins/funnysad.gif[/img]

Hm... copying my answer to get some credit?
[img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img] [img]tongue.gif[/img] [img]smile.gif[/img]

Nice one Legolas! Apparently people looking for a job with Microsoft are asked that question and given 5 minutes. It took me 15 so I will be avoiding them for a while. Try this one then:

A man walks into a bar but he is not thirsty.
He orders a drink of water, which he really needs.
The barman takes out a shotgun and points it at him.
The man thanks the barman and leaves.

Why did this happen?

Say WHAT? Did he need to water his pants or something? You're confusing me [img]smile.gif[/img]

This one is tough. I will give you that.

Why do you need a drink when you are not thirsty. That is the clue.

If you're not thirsty, you could need a drink because

someone else is thirsty
you need to fill your bathtub
the plants need watering
you are warm and sweating
you... aha!
The man wanted to break up with his girlfriend by throwing water over her like they do in the commercials. But, she was the barkeep's mother in law and the barkeep wanted the man to stay with her and take her somewhere far, far away... :D

Ummmmmmm very true.... very true...

But none of them will help you with this riddle I am afraid. Think why water and not another drink.

I should also add that when the man left the bar he was happy and had acheived what he went in their to do.

So the guy asks for water, but not to drink. He needs the water.
In response, the barkeep points a shotgun at him.
This was what the man was after and he leaves happy.

There's no way water is slang for shotgun! [img]tongue.gif[/img]

The barmans response solved the mans problem. But he still asked for water and did not want the barman to do what he did (major clue!!!).

And no, water is not a slang for shotgun, at least it isn't in London. I have never been to the Netherlands so I don't know about over there.

Since were on to riddles here, I thought I might add this one (some of you may have heard it though [img]smile.gif[/img] )

A man and his son were out driving, they were in the same car [img]smile.gif[/img] , one evening.
When they turned on to a small sideway, leading to a small town, they hit another car, coming from the town..
Everyone involved got taken to the hospital..
The father and the son got put in different wards, both waiting to get into surgery.
The son went first, but when he was brought to the surgery, the doctor in charge said:
"I cannot operate this child. he is my son!"

How was this possible?

OK...

They were in the different cars. When they turned sideways they hit each other. To each of them the other road WAS gthe sideway.

The son gets hurt and taken to the hospital. The father gets called in as he is a doctor. The son gets taken into a ward... this is where it gets sketchy... the father is in a different room of some kind. Don't know if you can call it a ward. He prepares for surgery and then gets in to find his son.

Sorry about that sideway thingie..I'm a little tired [img]smile.gif[/img]
I've edited it now, but it's not that a big detail..

Barry, I'm sorry to say, you're wrong..
The father that was in the car, is still in the hospital, unconscious..in another ward..

Dagnabbit!!! But it made so much sense in my head!?! Oh well, in that case I am stumped. Don't tell me the answer just yet though - I am sure other people want a go at it.

The doctor was his mother,and the man in the bar had the hiccups. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Well done on both counts. Christ, the whole doctor problem is so obvious when you look at it that way.

Ill take a guess at the man escaping (iv heard osmething similar before)
He breaks the chair in 2 halves with his hand, now 2 halves make a whole. He jumps down the hole and yells until his voice goes hoarse, jumps on the horse and rides away!

Okay, so we've done all the riddles so far? Nothing left? Time for a new one then...

I'll look one up ;)


*grumble* *muter* hiccups.. *mutter*
Actually, I can't mutter as I'm suffering from the after-effects of a Monty Python movie. Ah well...

You are in a land where there are two tribes of people...

(you think you've heard it huh? Well its not the normal one ok)

One tribe always tells the truth and the other one always lies. You meet three people and ask them:

"How many of you are from the tribe that always lie?"

There answers are:

"All of us are.".
"No, only two of us are.".
"Thats not true either.".

How many of them are from the tribe that always lie?

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Barry the Sprout:
There answers are:

"All of us are.".
"No, only two of us are.".
"Thats not true either.".

How many of them are from the tribe that always lie?<hr></blockquote>

The first one has to be lying. If he speaks the truth, he contradicts himself.

The second one could be right, as both others would be lying. This is a valid answer.

If the last one is telling the truth, he claims two are lying, one of them the man who said two were lying who would be speaking the truth.

So, there are two who lie.

Applause for Legolas I feel. Nice one mate!

OK, heres a probability one for you. You are playing a game show and the host asks you to pick your prize. There are three doors you can pick and one of them has a prize behind it. The other two have chickens (which, I admit, would be a prize to some people but not to most).

He asks you to guess so you pick one. He then opens one of the other doors to reveal a chicken.

He asks you if you are still sure.

On the basis of pure probability should you stick or change?

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Barry the Sprout:
Applause for Legolas I feel. Nice one mate!

OK, heres a probability one for you. You are playing a game show and the host asks you to pick your prize. There are three doors you can pick and one of them has a prize behind it. The other two have chickens (which, I admit, would be a prize to some people but not to most).

He asks you to guess so you pick one. He then opens one of the other doors to reveal a chicken.

He asks you if you are still sure.

On the basis of pure probability should you stick or change?<hr></blockquote>


There's one I know.
What they want you to think is that yourfirst choice had a 33% probability to be right, and your second a 50% probability.

Of course, that's complete nonsense as your first choice is discarded by the host because he changes the situation completely and lets you chose again. So it does not matter what your first answer was, it is the second choosing that counts. And that one's 50/50.


Here's a what am I riddle ;)

I am a wonderful help to women,
The hope of something to come. I harm
No citizen except my slayer.
Rooted I stand on a high bed.
I am shaggy below. Sometimes the beautiful
Peasant's daughter, an eager-armed,
Proud woman grabs my body,
Rushes my red skin, holds me hard,
Claims my head. The curly-haired
Woman who catches me fast will feel
Our meeting. Her eye will be wet.

And another one here:

Power and treasure for a prince to hold,
Hard and steep-cheeked, wrapped in red
Gold and garnet, ripped from a plain
Of bright flowers, wrought - a remnant
Of fire and file, bound in stark beauty
With delicate wire, my grip makes
Warriors weep, my sting threatens
The hand that grasps gold. Studded
With a ring, I ravage heir and heirloom.
To my lord and foes always lovely
And deadly, altering face and form.

Not too hard, I should think ;)

Actually, Legolas, that Game-Show question was famous probability puzzler for a while.....statistically, your chances of winning the prize are about 66% if you DON'T change from your original guess. It sounds bizarre (because it IS bizarre!), but it's really true. (Just remember that the game-show host KNEW which room held the prize, and all game shows like to keep their money, thank you.)

I am, however, still KICKING myself over the Spies with Hats question. DOH! I was on the right track, just didn't make that one last leap. Arrrrrgh.

As for those "What am I" riddles, the first one sounds like a penis and the second one sounds like a sword. Freudians, eat your collective hearts out.

For those that seek a somewhat more conventional puzzler, try this one: Name two wind instruments that are not powered by human lungs. There are at least 3....the winner is the first person to name 2 of them.

Hmmm,an accordian and the bagpipes,and maybe a pipe organ?

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by SixOfSpades:
Actually, Legolas, that Game-Show question was famous probability puzzler for a while.....statistically, your chances of winning the prize are about 66% if you DON'T change from your original guess. It sounds bizarre (because it IS bizarre!), but it's really true. (Just remember that the game-show host KNEW which room held the prize, and all game shows like to keep their money, thank you.)<hr></blockquote>

Actually Six the probability is 66.66...% if you DO change. You pick A (prob 33.33...%) and the host opens either B or C (collectively prob 66.66...%) to reveal a chicken. All that does is let you know which one of B or C it would be if either were the prize. So you are still on a 33.33...% prob on A but if you change to the remainder then your prob is still 66.66...%.

Think of it this way. You are in a room with 100 men and are asked to guess which one is called Peter. You say number 17. The quiz master says:
"Could number 17 and number 53 stay in the room please"

Do you change your mind. Considering it was only a 1% chance of being right first time you are better off changing as you know the quizmaster must leave you the right answer.

Well, the second one is a sword, but the other one is wrong. Ay other guesses?

And I'm certain it's a 50/50 chance.

No matter what you say, you'll end up with a prize and a chicken.
Then you are asked to pick any one of them. So, if you say yes, I'll stick with my guess, you're actually saying 'I'll take the door to the left'. If you say no, you're saying 'I'll take the door to the right'

Because you are offered your choice at the time there are one prize and one chicken remaining, you have a 50% chance of chosing the right one, and a 50% chance of picking the wrong one.

And if there actually is a 33% chance of the left one being the prize, then you have a total of a 83% chance of picking one of the two doors. But you have only two to choce from, so what do 17/100 contestants pick? There's an impossibility.


Two wind powered instruments? an electric guitar and an electric piano, provided they are driven by wind turbines?

Don't really follow your logic Legolas but trust me it is a 66.66% chance if you change. By opening one of the two doors the quizmaster effectively tells you which one of those it is in, if it is in either. As it is a 66.66% chance of it being in one of those two you should change and guess with what he leaves.

Think of it this way. You first guess A and have a 33.33% chance of being right. By opening another door to reveal a chicken the quizmaster allows you to pick both of the other two at the same time, as you know which of those two it must be. So your chance of being right doubles.

By just saying it is 50/50 you are ignoring the fact that the quizmaster can't pick a door at random. He has to open one of the losing doors - which narrows down your options.

Huma gets the wind instrument one, with the pipe organ and the accordion! The bagpipes don't count, because they ARE blown into: The piper blows into the bag, then squeezes the bag under his arm to force the air out the chanter & the drones. The 3rd instrument is the Aeolean harp--its strings are so delicate that they can be moved by a slight breeze. The Greeks used to put them high on walls or up on trees to make ethereal music when the wind blew.

I think you're right about the doors, Barry--I must just be remembering wrong. For those that doubt, think of the solution this way: There is a 33.3% chance that the prize is behind Door 1. This probability WILL NOT CHANGE. The game-show host opens Door 2 to reveal a goat, leaving Door 3 as the only other option. Since Door 1 has a 33% chance of being the winner, the remaining 66.6% MUST lie with Door 3.

Can't follow the logics here :confused:
How can a chance from 1 out of 2 ever be something else than 50%??

Mathematically, it WOULD be a 50% chance of getting the door correct AFTER one door has been removed from your possible options.
But Mathematically, your chances of picking that door BEFORE one door has been eliminated is 33.33%
So your first guess would have a 1 in 3 chance of success, and your second chance a 1 in 2 chance of success
the chances of you picking the correct door from the start (thus getting both guesses correct) is 1/3
the chances of you picking the correct door and the wrong door (thus getting 1 of 2 guesses correct) is 1/3
the chances of you picking the wrong door twice is thus 1/3

From this, you can explain the crazy logic and gather that the chances of you getting the correct door on your second guess is 2/3 (66.66%)

Actually that logic is flawed. The probability is actually less than 2/3..its 1/6 (because you could either choose the CORRECT door then the WRONG door, OR the WRONG door then the CORRECT door, thus halving 1/3. 1/3 x 1/2 = 1/6)
Add 1/3 to 1/6 and u get 1/2

So the base probability stays at 50%, not at 66.66%

So it could be

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by SixOfSpades:
Huma gets the wind instrument one, with the pipe organ and the accordion! The bagpipes don't count, because they ARE blown into: The piper blows into the bag, then squeezes the bag under his arm to force the air out the chanter & the drones. The 3rd instrument is the Aeolean harp--its strings are so delicate that they can be moved by a slight breeze. The Greeks used to put them high on walls or up on trees to make ethereal music when the wind blew.

I think you're right about the doors, Barry--I must just be remembering wrong. For those that doubt, think of the solution this way: There is a 33.3% chance that the prize is behind Door 1. This probability WILL NOT CHANGE. The game-show host opens Door 2 to reveal a goat, leaving Door 3 as the only other option. Since Door 1 has a 33% chance of being the winner, the remaining 66.6% MUST lie with Door 3.<hr></blockquote>

This is wrong because the 33.33% DOES change. Take this for example. You have 4 red balls and 6 blue balls in a sack.
If a ball is chosen at random, then removed, the probability of a red ball being chosen is 4/10. If the first ball chosen was red, then there is a 3/9 possibility that a red ball will be chosen at random from the sack. If that ball is also removed, then there is a 2/8 possibility that a red ball will be chosen from the sack.

Does anyone debate this?
Its the same with the doors. There is 1 correct door and 2 incorrect doors, which at first makes it a 1/3 possibility of finding the correct door. When 1 incorrect door is removed, then it becomes a 1/2 possibility of finding a correct door.

Okay, try to look at it like this:

The doors are named x,y and z. Door x is the one with the prize, y and z are the chickens.

If you pick door x, either door y or door z will be opened
If you pick door y, door z opens
If you pick door z, door y opens

So no matter what door you choose, you end up with door x and a door with a chicken.
The chances of yu picking door x are 33%. The chances of you picking THAT door which results in the opening of a door with a chicken are 100%.

So, no matter what door you picked at first, the outcome is the same.


Now let us assume door z was the door with the chicken that was opened. It could have been door y equally well, but the result is the same. Still with me?


So you end up facing door x and door y. Door x contains a prize and door y contains a chicken.

At this stage, the host asks you if you want to switch doors. By saying either 'yes' or 'no', you can tell the host which door you want him to open.

Let's assume you chose door x at the beginning. If you say yes, door y opens. If you say no, door x opens.
If you chose door y, you can say yes to open door x, and no to open door y.

So, you are given a chance to pick any door you like.
One door contains a prize, one door contains a chicken.
The chances of one of the doors containing the prize is 50% right now, if you were placed in this position right away.

And, you ARE put in this position. You get to choose between door x and door y.

The 33% chance would only apply if the host asked you to pick a door, then proceed to open all three, or only the one you picked. As soon as the host gives you an oppertunity to change your mind, you get to choose all over again. Now if the situation is still the same, the chances are still the same. But if it has changed, so do the chances.

What it comes down to in the riddle is simply this:
You get to choose at a time when there are only two doors to choose from.

Hope this clears it out a bit ;)

Well done Legolas [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

That should clear things up once and for all.