Mel (& Paul) Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 Ok so one of my less useful presents was a desk calender with mind bending puzzles on each day (as if my brain doesnt hurt enough as it is) I thought this one was apt: We are admiring some colourful organic free range eggs (well actually the puzzle said ceramic but I thought we would keep to what we know!) I had you 10 eggs numbered 12 through 21. I select one of the egs at random, and it happens to be egg 13. Now smiling strangely (all been there ) I randomly pick two more eggs: egg 14 and egg 17. I select a final egg Is this egg more likely to be even than odd (and what are the chances of it being covered in chicken poo - yes, I know, I added that bit too ) Anyone got the time to do it or have you all lost the will to live Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swiss Chick Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 I hate this puzzles never spent more then 3 secs trying to solve them. My solution would be that you have a 4:3 chance of picking a even number. Let me know what was correct at the end of the day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted February 16, 2006 Author Share Posted February 16, 2006 Will do - so far you are the only brave one to try - everyone else seems to have looked and then run away very fast, in the opposite direction Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 I would agree with swiss chick, if it really is that sinple....... It probably would be covered in poo, or trampled in the rush for food in the morning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted February 16, 2006 Author Share Posted February 16, 2006 Good answer Chocchick - like your style Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 If you write it out and do a tally of odd and even numbers it is very simple....unless again I've missed something, like they are blue because it is a Tuesday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted February 16, 2006 Author Share Posted February 16, 2006 *whispers* its Thursdy Dear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 Well in that case I thereby conclude the egg must be white, perfectly clean and laid on the roosting bars...... What was the question? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted February 16, 2006 Author Share Posted February 16, 2006 I dont know I cant remember My brain hurts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 Like your style Choccy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myles Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 I came up with the same answer as swiss chick but was to afraid to show my stupidness. Will show hubby later, bet you he says "no its obvious, its like this" then i'll say oh yeah, its obvious isn't it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted February 16, 2006 Author Share Posted February 16, 2006 I do that too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pianissimo Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 I love puzzles. This does seem to be as straightforward as Swiss Chick and Chocchick say, and I'd go along with 4:3 in favour of the last egg being even. I guess some people get confused by the selections that have already been made, which might make it seem very complicated. But obviously Omleteers are far too bright to be caught out like that! For another conundrum of this type, try the famous Monty Hall puzzle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophieam101 Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 I'd say 4:3 as well, but I could be wrong!!! ( I am top set maths ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 I love puzzles! I also love giving different answers to everyone else. I think the answer you have is that the chance is 50/50. Whatever egg you pick, no matter how many you have chosen already (as long as the choice is still odd/even numbers), the egg you take will either be odd or even. As you hold that egg in your hand, it has an equal chance of being either odd or even. PS I'm not a mathematician but love numbers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 That sounds like the sort of snaeaky answer you would get so is probably right.. Mel what is the answer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 I'm tempted to agree with Sheila, her logic seems to make an awful lot of sense Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 I'm tempted to agree with Sheila, her logic seems to make an awful lot of sense Can I quote you on that, Kate? I'm usually known for random thoughts or intuition, not logic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 I agree with you Sheila Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swiss Chick Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 I bet this puzzle has been "laid" by a man. My hubby's husband Mr. Ken .... was member of Mensa and wrote all this puzzle books. Sadly he died 2 months ago at 80. My hubby loves this sort of thing. I just think,,,, why bother the world has so much more urgent matters to solve so 50:50 sounds good to mee too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 I don't like this anymore OH agrees with 4:3 as it is a probability out of the total number of eggs. If it is Lesley/Sheila's answer I still disagree even if your answer says it is right (sarah now in strop ) You do have an answer don't you Mel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swiss Chick Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 Why so grumpy chocchick, mad that hubby might be right or not in the mood for puzzles today Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 I agree with Lesley and Sheila, there is a 50/50 chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 Well, I stand by my original reply (more chocolate, Sarah? ) but I would like to add a 2nd part. Just to really annoy eveyone. So, answer based on logic is 50/50 chance ...it's like flipping a coin...the chance of heads or tails is always 50/50 before each throw...even if you have just thrown 99 consecutive heads. But, if you are going to gamble, there are intuitive odds (highly unscientific) that make us feel that surely we would risk that tails must come up soon. So, to take this, and the method of card counting when gamblers take risks according to which cards are still remaining, I would think that a gambler would go say 40/60 based on the eggs already gone. However, I'll still say 50/50. Where's Mel with the answer? Can't wait for tomorrow's puzzle! Are you going to post one for us every day? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crooked Chicken Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 Yep, it's got to be 50:50. Tell us if we're right. Where's the next puzzle then????? I love puzzles. Do you know, since Xmas I've become so hooked on SuDoKu that I can't actually go to sleep at night without completing one!!! Sad or wot!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
