Escape the Black Ship - Win a birdy!

Kharnor1 · Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 6:13 pm Post subject:

Also, looking at it from the other direction:

Some have tried to argue that once you reach a certain number of skellies, they can all see that the strategy will work, and their logic will switch to just counting the number of a certain colour, without the need for the captain's statement. Usually the number is just high enough so that trying to follow all the knowledge chains is too complicated for most people, and counting is easy.

However the fundamental problem with this is: no matter what number of skellies you pick for this 'switch of logic', it can be shown that it doesn't work because the case before it doesn't work. (because the case before THAT doesn't work, etc.)

Say you pick 5:
5 skellies can't just count to 5 and then leave
because 4 skellies can't
because 3 skellies can't
because 2 skellies can't
because 1 skelly can't until after the captain's statement.

It's important to remember that the reason they have to wait any time at all before they leave is because they are relying on the previous cases.

...Induction is FUN. Smile

Sante · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 12:51 am Post subject:

Yeah, I got there in the end, though my brain hurt even more than it did figuring out the answer to the original scenario.

So I'd stab Kharnor too, 'cept this bird on my shoulder reminded me not to!
_________________
Sante
~~Ultimate~~ Variable sailor, crew poet,
As lost as ever.

kusje · Weighty Forum Tart Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 247

The more I read that thread, the more doubt I have about my answer. Save me!

Carrol · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 6:05 am Post subject:

I always hated doing induction proofs in school...no wonder this didn't click.

Once I read it, it took me a couple minutes to wrap my brain around the 3-person case...and at that point, I'm satisfied that it will work.

It's too bad that poor, poor captain from Yorkshire won't ever be leaving the ship. Razz

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Officer, Card Sharp, and Flag Liason of The Lost Lot.

Spacehog · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 11:27 am Post subject:

Kharnor1 · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 10:55 pm Post subject:

I was considering making you a red skelly too, just to play with your mind even further.

Also thank you for making the obvious weight joke so that I didn't have to. Do you know how hard it is for me to resist opportunities like that? Razz

Whoosy · Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 5:55 pm Post subject:

Does this count as "escaping the Black Ship"?

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q205/whospics/PolloDiablovictory.jpg

Laughing

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Personality opens doors; character keeps them open.

nadira · Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 10:40 pm Post subject:

Wow, Whoosy! Shocked

I wish I could ever try to do that XD

Kharnor1 · Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 2:22 am Post subject:

No, but we know the ghost captain's name now! Razz

Always knew Oceanus was up to something...