Can you solve the rebel supplies riddle? - Alex Gendler

TL;DR

To prevent shipment confiscation, only the box with a black top needs to be checked.

Transcript

You’re overseeing the delivery of crucial supplies to a rebel base deep in the heart of enemy territory. To get past Imperial customs, all packages must follow a strict protocol: if a box is marked with an even number on the bottom, it must be sealed with a red top. The boxes are already being loaded onto the transport when you receive an urgent... Read More

Key Insights

• 🍱 The protocol for the box delivery focuses only on even-numbered boxes and the color of the top.
• ❓ The requirement in the protocol is one-directional, not symmetrical.
• ❓ Affirming the consequent or the fallacy of the converse occurs when assuming that a necessary condition is also sufficient.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the protocol for the boxes in the delivery?

The protocol states that if a box has an even number on the bottom, it must be sealed with a red top. There is no mention of requirements for boxes with odd numbers or for boxes with red tops to have even numbers.

Q: Why is it unnecessary to check the box with the red top?

The protocol only establishes that if a box has an even number, it should have a red top. It does not imply that only boxes with even numbers can have red tops, or that a box with a red top must have an even number.

Q: What is the fallacy committed by assuming a symmetrical match between the box number and the type of lid?

The fallacy in this scenario is affirming the consequent or the fallacy of the converse. It wrongly assumes that a necessary condition for a result is also sufficient for it. This fallacy leads to the incorrect assumption that the lid and box number must be symmetrical.

Q: How does a different problem with groceries illustrate the concept better?

In the grocery scenario, the problem is similar with two possible conditions for the top and bottom of the box. However, it is easier to understand since it is based on familiar real-world needs. In this case, it is clear that the meat should not be shipped to the vegetarian restaurant and vice versa, while the onions can go to either place.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• In order to smuggle supplies, a protocol states that boxes with even numbers on the bottom must have a red top.

• Among four boxes, two facing down (marked with four and seven) and two facing up (one with a black top, another with a red top), only the box with a black top needs to be checked.

• The protocol only requires checking boxes with even numbers, and there is no requirement for boxes with red tops to have even numbers.