4 ms·
There are many strict orderings that can be used, but we just need one. Since each number is in a physical draw in a physical room, and no two draws can occupy
by Cogito 8y ago
There are many strict orderings that can be used, but we just need one.
Since each number is in a physical draw in a physical room, and no two draws can occupy the exact same space, there is a strict ordering of the drawers given by each drawers distance from a fixed point in the room (say a specific corner agreed on beforehand) in each of the three orthogonal dimensions sideways (x), backwards (y), and up (z).
We say a drawer A is before a drawer B if A.x < B.x; or, if A.x = B.x then if A.y < B.y; or, if A.x = B.x and A.y = B.y then if A.z < B.z
If A.x = B.x and A.y = B.y and A.z = B.z then A = B.
This is a strict ordering that will number the drawers from 1-100, and can be determined beforehand.
Now the prisoners take that order, and shuffle it randomly, without telling the warden what they are doing.
- Retric 8y agoAs math that works fine, in practice it's a world of problems. A.x = B.x is a question of finite precision close enough and all prisoners will not agree if A.x = B.X or A > B or A < B. Adding precision tools does not help as you get into things like thermal expansion and the weight of prisoners deforming the floor etc. So, while that works as a math problem, it may fail as an actual solution.