Riddle Minute

[Doc Sigma]

Ooh. I've heard a similar version of this, where it is *known* that the mayor is cheating -- the girl sees that there are only two black stones in the bag, but she can't prove it. In this case, she pulls out a stone, drops it on the ground, and says "Oh, my bad. Let's look at the second stone and just do the opposite of it."

But in your riddle, the girl doesn't know whether or not he is cheating... so it's a horse of a different color. I'm thinking about it. If someone beats me to it, then hey, cool.

[nickspoon]

Ooh. I've heard a similar version of this, where it is *known* that the mayor is cheating -- the girl sees that there are only two black stones in the bag, but she can't prove it. In this case, she pulls out a stone, drops it on the ground, and says "Oh, my bad. Let's look at the second stone and just do the opposite of it."

But in your riddle, the girl doesn't know whether or not he is cheating... so it's a horse of a different color. I'm thinking about it. If someone beats me to it, then hey, cool.

Well, actually, the answer is the same as the one where it is known that the mayor is cheating - the requirement was for a fair game ('fair' defined as a game in which the girl can win) and therefore if the mayor is not cheating then the game is still fair, but the girl can lose. If you can think up a way in which the girl wins every time regardless of whether the mayor cheats or not, that would be good to hear.

Mathematical riddle now:
There are X people in a room, none of whom are born on 29th February. The number of people in the room is equal to the reciprocal of the probability of no two sharing the same birthday, rounded to the nearest whole number. How many people are in the room?

[Doc Sigma]

the requirement was for a fair game ('fair' defined as a game in which the girl can win)

D'oh, I missed that part.

[Segovia]

Another math riddle eh? Hmm. Give me some time here.

[Segovia]

Lets see.... The chances of someone haveing the same birthday as you is 1/365. However the specific birthday is required is febuary 29 so that means it's a leap year. A leap year happens about every four years so multiply 1/365 by 4 and add 1 for that extra day so I think that the number of peopl in the room is 1481 people. That must be a big room. But then again this is a guess.

[Hyperion]

Mathematical riddle now:
There are X people in a room, none of whom are born on 29th February. The number of people in the room is equal to the reciprocal of the probability of no two sharing the same birthday, rounded to the nearest whole number. How many people are in the room?

I'm going to guess one, for no real reason.

[Dr. Sticks]

Lets see.... The chances of someone haveing the same birthday as you is 1/365. However the specific birthday is required is febuary 29 so that means it's a leap year. A leap year happens about every four years so multiply 1/365 by 4 and add 1 for that extra day so I think that the number of peopl in the room is 1481 people. That must be a big room. But then again this is a guess.

why would you need to take leap year into account? none of them HAVE a leap-day birthday

[Segovia]

I must of missed that part. Then I guess 365 people.

[nickspoon]

I'm going to guess one, for no real reason.

If you're going to nitpick, 1 is a possible answer - however, there is more than one person in the room.

Also, Doc Sigma! I just realised how your riddle is supposed to work - the joker and the aces can be taken as five cards, and the joker has a 1/5 chance of being the final card. I see what you mean by the other cards not mattering

[Doc Sigma]

I'm going to guess one, for no real reason.

If you're going to nitpick, 1 is a possible answer - however, there is more than one person in the room.

Also, Doc Sigma! I just realised how your riddle is supposed to work - the joker and the aces can be taken as five cards, and the joker has a 1/5 chance of being the final card. I see what you mean by the other cards not mattering

Yep. It's so awesome that the "long way" comes up with the same answer. Makes it a brilliant little riddle.

I'm intentionally not answering your current one... want to give other people a shot. (also I just don't know the answer)

[Segovia]

I guess since Nick forgot about his riddle I might as give one to bring back this thread.

What is the farthest point from the center of the Earth?

[Dr. Sticks]

this sounds like more of a joke or trick question than a riddle

the north pole

[Segovia]

Nope. Plus it isn't a joke and I don't really consider it a trick question.

[nickspoon]

The most distant point at the edge of the Universe, wherever that may be and if it exists.

[Segovia]

Let me be a little more specific. Farthest point on Earth From the the Center of the Earth.