Puzzle time - Subaru Enthusiasts Car Club of the Sierras

sperry · 2004-05-12, 09:54 AM

This is supposed to be a difficult logic puzzle, but my roommate and I were able to do it in about 5 minutes each... so it's either not really that hard, or computer programmers just have an advantage because the logic we use everyday is right in line with this problem.

Quote:

On a train, Smith, Robinson, and Jones are the fireman, brakeman, and engineer, but NOT respectively. Also aboard are three businessmen with the same names: a Mr. Smith, a Mr. Robinson, and a Mr. Jones.

1. Mr. Robinson lives in Detroit.
2. The brakeman lives exactly halfway between chicago and Detroit.
3. Mr. Jones earns exactly 20,000 per year.
4. The brakeman's neareast neighbor, one of the passengers, earns exactly three times as much as the brakeman.
5. Smith beats the fireman at billiards.
6. The passenger with the same name as the brakeman lives in Chicago.
WHO IS THE ENGINEER?

If you get the answer, just post you figured it out... don't give away the answer until everyone gets a chance to work on it!

AtomicLabMonkey · 2004-05-12, 10:12 AM

I figured it out, not through any masterpiece of logic though.

Nick Koan · 2004-05-12, 10:15 AM

Got it.

I had to draw a diagram though.

sperry · 2004-05-12, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AtomicLabMonkey

I figured it out, not through any masterpiece of logic though.

Yeah, it's not that hard, but the source that Matt got it from touted it as "a very famous logic puzzle, claimed to only be solved by a few percent of those who try". I think the "average" man on the street would have a hard time with this because you have to be able to keep all the facts in your head at the same time and "see" the relations all at once to get the answer, but those of us that work in a technical field use logic like this all the time, so it's almost second nature.

AtomicLabMonkey · 2004-05-12, 10:18 AM

I had a pretty good idea from just one of the clues, checked the answer on teh web, and sure enough I was right. :wink:

Engineers usually choose the shortest distance between two points.

Dean · 2004-05-12, 12:41 PM

I'm not sure any single clue can help. From just a quick read, I had a hunch, but had to use every clue to confirm it. I don't believe it is possible to solve without every clue with the possible exception of #5 and a strict or literal interpretation of the premise that they are not respective. I probably could have done it without paper, but it would have made my brain hurt.

A tic-tac-toe board, and a 3 point map is what I used.

dknv · 2004-05-12, 01:56 PM

Yeah, I had to map it out on paper. You guys who can mentally map it are lucky!

I have the same deficiency in course walking - in order to successfully remember a course I have to either walk it multiple times, or, walk it once or twice AND have a physical map.

Nick Koan · 2004-05-12, 02:52 PM

Yeah, I'm a very visual person too. I have a photographic memory, but unless I see something on paper, or infront of me, I can have a tough time congnizing it.

I am truly amazed, though, at those that can do this in their head.

2004-05-12, 10:12 AM	#2
AtomicLabMonkey Nightwalker Real Name: Austin Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Oshkosh, WI Posts: 4,063 Car: '13 WRX YGBSM	I figured it out, not through any masterpiece of logic though. __________________ "None of you seem to understand. I'm not locked in here with you.. you're locked in here with me."

2004-05-12, 10:15 AM	#3
Nick Koan JDM Cowboy Real Name: Nick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Somewhere Posts: 8,642 Car: 2015 Mazda 3	Got it. I had to draw a diagram though. __________________ While a standard engine is powered by a belt connected to the crankshaft, a turbo engine runs on its own exhaust steam, making it more energy efficient. -- CNN

2004-05-12, 12:41 PM	#6
Dean Señor Cheap Bastarde Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003 Location: $99 Tire Store Posts: 9,294 Car: $.04 STI Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.	I'm not sure any single clue can help. From just a quick read, I had a hunch, but had to use every clue to confirm it. I don't believe it is possible to solve without every clue with the possible exception of #5 and a strict or literal interpretation of the premise that they are not respective. I probably could have done it without paper, but it would have made my brain hurt. A tic-tac-toe board, and a 3 point map is what I used. __________________ I am a Commodore PET --- Now get off my lawn you kids...

2004-05-12, 02:52 PM	#8
Nick Koan JDM Cowboy Real Name: Nick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Somewhere Posts: 8,642 Car: 2015 Mazda 3	Yeah, I'm a very visual person too. I have a photographic memory, but unless I see something on paper, or infront of me, I can have a tough time congnizing it. I am truly amazed, though, at those that can do this in their head. __________________ While a standard engine is powered by a belt connected to the crankshaft, a turbo engine runs on its own exhaust steam, making it more energy efficient. -- CNN

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2004-05-12, 10:18 AM	#5
AtomicLabMonkey Nightwalker Real Name: Austin Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Oshkosh, WI Posts: 4,063 Car: '13 WRX YGBSM	I had a pretty good idea from just one of the clues, checked the answer on teh web, and sure enough I was right. :wink: Engineers usually choose the shortest distance between two points. __________________ "None of you seem to understand. I'm not locked in here with you.. you're locked in here with me."

2004-05-12, 01:56 PM	#7
dknv EJ207 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: 39n53, 119w90 Posts: 2,698 Car: RX-8 Class: CS maybe	Yeah, I had to map it out on paper. You guys who can mentally map it are lucky! I have the same deficiency in course walking - in order to successfully remember a course I have to either walk it multiple times, or, walk it once or twice AND have a physical map.