Can you solve the world's hardest logic puzzle?

[SvenSvensonov]

It's that strange time of year, the lull between Christmas and New Year, when you're not reallycelebrating but not really working either. So, how about you wrap your brain around the world's hardest logic puzzle to keep yourself amused? Y'know, just for fun.

New Scientist has a lovely feature (which is available to read if you sign up for a free account) in its Christmas issue about the world's most difficult logic problem. If you're wondering what could possibly be so tough, check it out:

"Three gods A, B, and C are called, in some order, True, False, and Random. True always speaks truly, False always speaks falsely, but whether Random speaks truly or falsely is a completely random matter. Your task is to determine the identities of A, B, and C by asking three yes-no questions; each question must be put to exactly one god. The gods understand English, but will answer all questions in their own language in which the words for 'yes' and 'no' are 'da' and 'ja', in some order. You do not know which word means which."

It was dreamt up—and solved—by US logician George Boolos shortly before his death in 1996. What makes it so difficult is it's incredible amount of problems, all squeezed into one puzzle: language barriers, untruthfulness, and randomness, too. Philosophers claims that cracking the puzzle reveals the true nature of logic itself to those willing to toil with the problem—but if you can't be bothered, you can find a (relatively) simple solution here.

(sorry, the link to the solution isn't working properly. I'll post a working link below)
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/4458028/sshlpe.pdf

 

[T-123456]

I think you need to ask them questions of which you know the answers but i dont think one question for each god is enough to determine the indentities(logic not my strongest trait).

 

[SvenSvensonov]

I think you need to ask them questions of which you know the answers but i dont think one question for each god is enough to determine the indentities(logic not my strongest trait).

Logic seems to be quite fleeting or non-existent for many people on PDF. I hope this exercise can help people think a bit more in depth.

 

[T-123456]

Logic seems to be quite fleeting or non-existence for many people on PDF. I hope this exercise can help people think a bit more in depth.

You expect normal people like myself to solve the worlds hardest logic puzzle?
How many people in the entire world can solve this puzzle you think?
Btw,you need logic to think in depth,are you sure?
Just asking questions.
We should ask Sheldon to solve the problem,his life is all about logic but i wonder if he thinks in depth on all logical matters?

 

[SvenSvensonov]

You expect normal people like myself to solve the worlds hardest logic puzzle?
How many people in the entire world can solve this puzzle you think?
Btw,you need logic to think in depth,are you sure?
Just asking questions.
We should ask Sheldon to solve the problem,his life is all about logic but i wonder if he thinks in depth on all logical matters?

Ha, ha, no I don't expect too many people to solve it. The exercise was more intended to get people to think, at least more so than usual. I couldn't solve it (not in one sitting anyway), I feel no shame in admitting that, just a bit of mental exercise even if we don't figure out the answer. And no logic isn't a requisite for thinking in depth, it just helps one see more sides to an equation than they normally would and allows them to solve problems or answer questions without needing to ask.

 

[T-123456]

Ha, ha, no I don't expect too many people to solve it. The exercise was more intended to get people to think, at least more so than usual. I couldn't solve it (not in one sitting anyway), I feel no shame in admitting that, just a bit of mental exercise even if we don't figure out the answer. And no logic isn't a requisite for thinking in depth, it just helps one see more sides to an equation than they normally would and allows them to solve problems or answer questions without needing to ask.

Shouldnt be that difficult to solve,the only things you need is alot of time and focus.
Just ask all three of them 10 or more questions of which you know the answers to,which can only be answered by yes and no(not to simple and not to hard but you have to make sure that the questions are answerable by all three(their field of expertise).
The good the bad and the ugly will be revealed,dont you think?
Btw,true and false are easy to find out but the random god is difficult.

 

[SvenSvensonov]

Shouldnt be that difficult to solve,the only things you need is alot of time and focus.
Just ask all three of them 10 questions of which you know the answers to,which can only be answered by yes and no(not to simple and not to hard but you have to make sure that the questions are answerable by all three(their field of expertise).
The good the bad and the ugly will be revealed,don't you think?

That would work, but you've added a bit to the scenario. Instead of asking 10 question, you will ask each god one question, of a true or false nature and get a response in a language you don't understand. But yes, generally the issue with logic puzzles is a factor of time and focus. Most often and answer will come to you when you least expect it, like in the shower. Let me know If you have an answer (that isn't from the solution I offered).

 

[TheMatador]

*edited* nevermind too difficult late at night

 

[SvenSvensonov]

Disregarding the language barrier for now. Point to A and ask each person whether that is Mr Random. Point to B and ask the same. Point to C and ask the same. This gives you the identity of Mr Random because when you point to him it would be the only time 1/3 the responses from Mr True and Mr False are flipped around. Once you know Mr Random you can distinguish Mr True and Mr False by their responses.

So now that you think you have a way to find a solution the answer remains. Who is who?

 

[T-123456]

That would work, but you've added a bit to the scenario. Instead of asking 10 question, you will ask each god one question, of a true or false nature and get a response in a language you don't understand. But yes, generally the issue with logic puzzles is a factor of time and focus. Most often and answer will come to you when you least expect it, like in the shower. Let me know If you have an answer (that isn't from the solution I offered).

Why are you making it to complecated for my little brain,they are gods they should speak every language.
By your logic,yes could mean no in another language.

@levina ,teach could you solve this problem,you know my brain capacity is not enough?

 

[Levina]

Why are you making it to complecated for my little brain,they are gods they should speak every language.
By your logic,yes could mean no in another language.

@levina ,teach could you solve this problem,you know my brain capacity is not enough?

Ahh!
My student seems to be in trouble here.

See I can solve this puzzle.
But before I start asking them question I will tell 'em "answer my question correctly or get ready for some spanking".
And then whatever question I ask them regarding their identity they'll answer me correctly.

On topic:
I think the solution lies in asking 'em "are you C"??
Pata nai!!


Names edited...

 

[T-123456]

So now that you think you have a way to find a solution the answer remains. Who is who?

See my Teach called in reinforcements,let them deal with it.

Ahh!
My student seems to be in trouble here.

See I can solve this puzzle.
But before I start asking them question I will tell 'em "answer my question correctly or get ready for some spanking".
And then whatever question I ask them regarding their identity they'll answer me correctly.

On topic:
I think the solution lies in asking 'em "are you C"??
Pata nai!!

@Marshmallow
@Horus @Skull and Bones @OrionHunter @thesolar65 @halupridol @S.U.R.B. @jaunty @scorpionx @SpArK @nair @kurup @seiko @acetophenol @Sidak @JonAsad @SledgeHammer @arp2041
And all the other brainy creatures of this forum....

Solve this if you have brains!!

Wth @levina teach you trying to provoke me with that picture?
Shall i put on the picture of her after ISIS?

 

[Levina]

Wth @levina teach you trying to provoke me with that picture?
Shall i put on the picture of her after ISIS?

Hmmm???

 

[T-123456]

Hmmm???

Your avatar.
She was a PKK terrorist.

 

[Levina]

Your avatar.

Yaaa but what about it?