Knights Of The Round Table Riddle
King Arthur, Merlin, Sir Lancelot, Sir Gawain, and Guinevere decide to go to their favorite restaurant to share some mead and grilled meats. They sit down at a round table for five, and as soon as they do, Lancelot notes, "We sat down around the table in age order! What are the odds of that?"
Merlin smiles broadly. "This is easily solved without any magic." He then shared the answer. What did he say the odds were?
Merlin smiles broadly. "This is easily solved without any magic." He then shared the answer. What did he say the odds were?
Hint: Does it matter if they are sitting clockwise or counterclockwise? Or where the oldest sits?
The odds are 11:1. (The probability is 1/12.)
Imagine they sat down in age order, with each person randomly picking a seat. The first person is guaranteed to pick a seat that "works". The second oldest can sit to his right or left, since these five can sit either clockwise or counterclockwise. The probability of picking a seat that works is thus 2/4, or 1/2. The third oldest now has three chairs to choose from, one of which continues the progression in the order determined by the second person, for a probability of 1/3. This leaves two seats for the fourth oldest, or a 1/2 chance. The youngest would thus be guaranteed to sit in the right seat, since there is only one seat left. This gives 1 * 1/2 * 1/3 * 1/2 * 1 = 1/12, or 11:1 odds against. Did you answer this riddle correctly?
YES NO
Imagine they sat down in age order, with each person randomly picking a seat. The first person is guaranteed to pick a seat that "works". The second oldest can sit to his right or left, since these five can sit either clockwise or counterclockwise. The probability of picking a seat that works is thus 2/4, or 1/2. The third oldest now has three chairs to choose from, one of which continues the progression in the order determined by the second person, for a probability of 1/3. This leaves two seats for the fourth oldest, or a 1/2 chance. The youngest would thus be guaranteed to sit in the right seat, since there is only one seat left. This gives 1 * 1/2 * 1/3 * 1/2 * 1 = 1/12, or 11:1 odds against. Did you answer this riddle correctly?
YES NO
Blue Eyes Riddle
Both of my parents have brown eyes, as do I. My brother and my wife have blue eyes. Using the simple brown-blue model (two genes; a brown gene dominates blue gene), what are the chances of my first child having blue eyes?
Hint: Given my brother's blue eyes, what are the odds on my pair of eye-color genes?
1 in 3.
Since my brother has blue eyes (bb), both of my parents carry one brown and one blue gene (Bb). The three possibilities for my genotype, equally likely, are BB, Bb, and bB. Thus, there is a 2/3 chance that I carry a blue gene.
If I carry a blue gene, there is a 50% chance I will pass it on to my first child (and, obviously, 0% if I carry two brown genes).
Since my child will certainly get a blue gene from my wife, my gene will determine the eye color.
Multiplying the probabilities of those two independent events, there is a chance of 1/2 x 2/3 = 1/3 of my passing on a blue gene. Did you answer this riddle correctly?
YES NO
Since my brother has blue eyes (bb), both of my parents carry one brown and one blue gene (Bb). The three possibilities for my genotype, equally likely, are BB, Bb, and bB. Thus, there is a 2/3 chance that I carry a blue gene.
If I carry a blue gene, there is a 50% chance I will pass it on to my first child (and, obviously, 0% if I carry two brown genes).
Since my child will certainly get a blue gene from my wife, my gene will determine the eye color.
Multiplying the probabilities of those two independent events, there is a chance of 1/2 x 2/3 = 1/3 of my passing on a blue gene. Did you answer this riddle correctly?
YES NO
Exposed To A Disease Riddle
A boy and his father have been exposed to a disease. Sadly, the father rapidly develops a tumor and dies. The boy survives, but desperately needs an operation and is rushed to hospital. A surgeon is called. Upon entering the room and seeing the patient, the surgeon exclaims, Oh no! I cant do the operation. Thats my son!
Hint:
Candy Filled Treat
This is a candy filled treat
That can be found in stores
In the run-up to Christmas
And has twenty-four doors
What could it be?
That can be found in stores
In the run-up to Christmas
And has twenty-four doors
What could it be?
Hint:
A Tasty Treat
Open this everyday
For something that cant be beat
Behind each of the doors
You will find a tasty treat
What is it?
For something that cant be beat
Behind each of the doors
You will find a tasty treat
What is it?
Hint:
Favorite Christmas Carol
Hint:
In Your Spine
Your body has lots of these
Including the tibia
Several are in your spine
And theres three in your ear
What are they?
Including the tibia
Several are in your spine
And theres three in your ear
What are they?
Hint:
Only Made Of Bones
This body has no ears or tongue
So hes not able to use phones
Tickling doesnt work on him
Because hes only made of bones
Who is this guy?
So hes not able to use phones
Tickling doesnt work on him
Because hes only made of bones
Who is this guy?
Hint:
A Snowman's Breakfast Riddle
Hint:
Jimmy's Grades Riddle
Hint:
Race Car Drivers Riddle
Hint:
Sea Monster Food Riddle
Hint:
Scared Food Riddle
Hint:
Breakfast For Trees
Hint:
Elephant Job Riddle
Hint:
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