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The problem with this problem, the way it was originally put, was the utterly confusing English masked into a logic problem. Write your specifications clearly,

by zhte415 12y ago

The problem with this problem, the way it was originally put, was the utterly confusing English masked into a logic problem. Write your specifications clearly, and then it does not become an internationally shared 'problem' to solve. [I work with insanely documented specifications just like this, year after year. Not putting a problem clearly is not something to aspire to.]

baddox 12y ago
Why do you think that confusion over the English description is more to blame than the difficulties many people face with logic puzzles?
- zhte415 12y ago
  I do not make a comparison to 'difficulties many people face with logic problems' and did not make an assertion that many people face difficulties with logic puzzles. Getting back to the article: the problem is worded so badly it should be sent back to the author to more coherently express what they think. Specifications, etc...
  - baddox 12y ago
    I simply disagree that the problem is worded badly. I thought it was extremely precise and clear.
  - sukilot 12y ago
    Or you could learn Singapore English and not demand that everyone translate their work into your dialect.
- chongli 12y ago
  A lot of people reading it probably didn't even realize that it is a logic puzzle. To those, it may be some kind of obscure riddle with terrible grammar. Heck, it's not even clear that Albert and Bernard are communicating with one another and not merely with the answerer. If you assume they do not communicate at all then the puzzle becomes impossible.
  - baddox 12y ago
    > A lot of people reading it probably didn't even realize that it is a logic puzzle. To those, it may be some kind of obscure riddle with terrible grammar. I'm not clear on what the difference between a riddle and a logic puzzle would be in this context. > If you assume they do not communicate at all then the puzzle becomes impossible. Why would someone make an assumption that renders the puzzle impossible? I suppose the questioner could just be a troll or something.
stephen_g 12y ago
It's a puzzle - it's supposed to be tricky. I don't really think it's especially obfuscated though. You just have to think about why people are saying what they say, which is a fairly useful thing to be able to do...

by zhte415 12y ago

baddox 12y ago

Why do you think that confusion over the English description is more to blame than the difficulties many people face with logic puzzles?

zhte415 12y ago
I do not make a comparison to 'difficulties many people face with logic problems' and did not make an assertion that many people face difficulties with logic puzzles. Getting back to the article: the problem is worded so badly it should be sent back to the author to more coherently express what they think. Specifications, etc...
- baddox 12y ago
  I simply disagree that the problem is worded badly. I thought it was extremely precise and clear.
- sukilot 12y ago
  Or you could learn Singapore English and not demand that everyone translate their work into your dialect.
chongli 12y ago
A lot of people reading it probably didn't even realize that it is a logic puzzle. To those, it may be some kind of obscure riddle with terrible grammar. Heck, it's not even clear that Albert and Bernard are communicating with one another and not merely with the answerer. If you assume they do not communicate at all then the puzzle becomes impossible.
- baddox 12y ago
  > A lot of people reading it probably didn't even realize that it is a logic puzzle. To those, it may be some kind of obscure riddle with terrible grammar. I'm not clear on what the difference between a riddle and a logic puzzle would be in this context. > If you assume they do not communicate at all then the puzzle becomes impossible. Why would someone make an assumption that renders the puzzle impossible? I suppose the questioner could just be a troll or something.

stephen_g 12y ago

It's a puzzle - it's supposed to be tricky. I don't really think it's especially obfuscated though. You just have to think about why people are saying what they say, which is a fairly useful thing to be able to do...