An older, but still very good riddle

[tauzreborn]

There are three adjacent light switches downstairs.

One light switch is wired toan out of sight upstairs room.

The other two light switches are not wired properly and do nothing.


You need to know which switch operates that very distant upstairs room.

You can only go up the stairs ONE time!

How can you find out which light switch is the right one?



Rules: You are not an electrician.

You cannot dissasemble the switch.

You are all alone and this is life or death.

(There is no trick in the wording - So dont bother looking for a subtle hint)

[EricBigNally]

I have absolutely no idea on this one. Anyone want to PM me to help me feel smart... I don't want to ruin it for others by having someone tell the answer out and not let them get to figure it out. TIA

[tauzreborn]

Hint: What happens if you touch a light bulb?

[HOMEYCAT]

I suggest that you did not stipulate the rules about the light switches. Can we throw them all? Or is that not kosher?

[HOMEYCAT]

tauzreborn wrote: Hint: What happens if you touch a light bulb?It is either warm or it is cold.

[surveyor]

That's not the way I recall the riddle, unless this one is totally different.

I recall their being 3 lights and 3 switches, and in one trip you had to discern which light went with which bulb - the switches being in one room and the lights being in another.

If it's indeed a separate but similar riddle, then the procedure would still be similar as well.:)

[Littlemeyer]

OK, this is a stretch, but here goes...

You have switch A, B, and C.
Turn A and B on. Wait....wait....wait....

OK, now turn A off, and turn C on. Go upstairs quickly...

If the light is on, then touch the bulb. If bulb is not too warm, the light has not been on for long. Switch C controls the light. If bulb is really warm, the light HAS been on for quite some time. Switch B controls the light. If the light is off, then switch A controls the light.

???? Maybe???

[Malachi]

Actually, I'm with Homey. My first thought was turn 'em all on. If two switches don't work, why does it matter?

Anyway...

You have switch A, B, and C.
Turn A and B on. Wait....wait....wait....
OK, now turn A off, and turn C on.
Go upstairs quickly...

Skip the 'turn C on'.

When you check the light and it's on, it's B. If it's off and hot, it was A. If it's off and cold, it was C.

That's my guess.

[Littlemeyer]

Malachi wrote: Actually, I'm with Homey. My first thought was turn 'em all on. If two switches don't work, why does it matter?


Why does it matter??? It's life or death, man! Didn't you read the instructions??? :lol:

Yep, I think you've nailed it. I was trying to make it too complicated. One too many steps...

What this riddle needs is a good story around it, to make it clear why you HAVE to know EXACTLY which of the three switches controls the light. And also why you can only make one trip up the stairs...

[Mr. Peanut]

Littlemeyer wrote: Malachi wrote: Actually, I'm with Homey. My first thought was turn 'em all on. If two switches don't work, why does it matter?


Why does it matter??? It's life or death, man! Didn't you read the instructions??? :lol:

Yep, I think you've nailed it. I was trying to make it too complicated. One too many steps...

What this riddle needs is a good story around it, to make it clear why you HAVE to know EXACTLY which of the three switches controls the light. And also why you can only make one trip up the stairs...
Always a good fictional motivator. "There's a guy standing next to you with a gun to your head... if you don't figure this riddle out... bang"

[tauzreborn]

Answer:

Turn switch A on: Wait five minutes. Turn it off.

Turn switch B on:

Go to the room. If the bulb is on, it is switch B. If the bulb is off and warm it is switch A. If the bulb is neither on or warm then it is switch C.

[Malachi]

Why does it matter??? It's life or death, man! Didn't you read the instructions???

Doh! :shock:

[Dr. H Lecter]

I'd have to say that the whole riddle is pretty muchBS.

Nowhere did you say that there would be a step ladder available so that you could reach the light bulb.It would no doubt be at a minimum 7'10" in the air if the minimum standard 8' ceiling is where the fixture is located.

How in the world is the average human going to be able to touch the bulb? Now if you'd said Shagari was the person that had to figure this out then I wouldn't have a problem with the riddle...but right now I'm sorry but Ifeel cheated.

[tauzreborn]

I'll do better next time!

[Malachi]

I'll do better next time!

I don't think Lector was directing that at you. I think he was picking on those of us nitpickin' the rules.

Speaking of nitpickin', got another one?