A king wants to find the wisest of his three advisors. So, he devises a test using two identical goblets. He tells them that one goblet is filled with poison and the other with pure water. The poison is so strong that even one drop is lethal, and it is undetectable by any means.
The king allows each advisor to make a single statement. The advisors know each other well, and they know that:
- The first advisor always tells the truth.
- The second advisor sometimes tells the truth and sometimes lies.
- The third advisor always lies.
After the advisors make their statements, they will each drink from one goblet. The challenge is to survive.
The first advisor says, “This goblet is poisoned.”
The second advisor looks at the first advisor’s goblet and says, “This goblet is poisoned.”
The third advisor looks at the second advisor’s goblet and says, “Both goblets are poisoned.”
To solve the puzzle, let’s analyse the advisors’ statements:
- The first advisor says, “This goblet is poisoned.”
- Since this advisor always tells the truth, if his goblet is poisoned, then the statement is true.
- The second advisor says, “This goblet is poisoned.”
- This advisor can either tell the truth or lie. If his goblet is poisoned, he could be telling the truth. If his goblet is not poisoned, he could be lying.
- The third advisor says, “Both goblets are poisoned.”
- Since this advisor always lies, this statement must be false. So, it’s not possible for both goblets to be poisoned.
From the third advisor’s statement, we know that one goblet is poisoned, and the other is not.
Now, let’s consider the possibilities:
- If the first advisor’s goblet is poisoned, his statement is true, which aligns with his character.
- If the second advisor’s goblet is poisoned, he could be telling the truth, but this would contradict the first advisor’s truthful statement.
Considering these points, the only way for all statements to hold true to the advisors’ characteristics is if the first advisor’s goblet is poisoned, and the second advisor’s goblet is not.
Answer:
You should drink from the second advisor’s goblet to survive.
