100 prisoners are in solitary cells, unable to see, speak or communicate in any way from those solitary cells with each other. There's a central living room with one light bulb; the bulb is initially off. No prisoner can see the light bulb from his own cell. Everyday, the warden picks a prisoner at random, and that prisoner goes to the central living room. While there, the prisoner can toggle the bulb if he wishes. Also, the prisoner has the option of asserting the claim that all 100 prisoners have been to the living room. If this assertion is false (that is, some prisoners still haven't been to the living room), all 100 prisoners will be shot for their stupidity. However, if it is indeed true, all prisoners are set free. Thus, the assertion should only be made if the prisoner is 100% certain of its validity.
Before the random picking begins, the prisoners are allowed to get together to discuss a plan. So -- what plan should they agree on, so that eventually, someone will make a correct assertion? ____________________ Posed to me by Arthur Whitney at Iverson College<https://sites.google.com/site/iversoncollege/>. This puzzle resembles the 88 Hats<http://www.jsoftware.com/papers/88hats.htm>puzzle but is (IMO) easier. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For information about J forums see http://www.jsoftware.com/forums.htm
