Talk:Puzzles/Logic puzzles/Gold Coins/Solution

"I actually think that the solution will be 97,0,1,0,2 split. If the youngest pirate is being offered 1, he might just way to himself, "Well, pirate #4 will also offer me $1, and I've no reason to leave this old geezer alive!" fixed --Divinity 19:04, 17 Jun 2005 (UTC)

2 pirates
Surely the split would actually be 0-100? The question says there needs to be at least 50% votes in favour, so as long as pirate 2 votes for himself he can't have less than 50% in favour. MyNameIsClare talk  12:47, 27 Jun 2005 (UTC)


 * "and all pirates remaining will vote for or against it". I took that to mean apart from the one who proposes. -- Smjg 17:02, 18 January 2006 (UTC)

The solution isn't unique
I've worked it out, and there's a small difference from what's said here that means that there are two possible solutions, of which one coincides with the one given here.

3 Pirates: Pirate 3 splits at 0, 0, 100. Pirate 2 will vote for him, since it is his only way to guarantee survival.

4 Pirates: Pirate 4 splits at 1, 1, 0, 98. Pirates 1 and 2 will vote for.

5 Pirates: Pirate 5 can split at either 2, 0, 1, 0, 97 or 0, 2, 1, 0, 97 and receive two votes in his favour.

-- Smjg 16:58, 18 January 2006 (UTC)

This should be right
Working backwards

Assuming that each Pirates priority is to stay alive, then get as much gold.

1 Pirate 1: proposes that he take all the gold, and agree's with himself. 2 Pirates 2: proposes that the other takes all the gold and lets him live. 1: Might agree with him, depending on his disposition. 3 Pirates 3: proposes to give himself all the gold 2: votes yes, because this assures that he will live, other wise his life is in #1's hands 1: votes no, but this doesn't matter as the other 2 voted yes 4 Pirates 4: proposes 98 gold goes to himself, 0 gold to #3, 1 gold to #2 and 1 gold to #1. 3: votes no 2: votes yes because it's more than he'll get if it goes to 3 pirates 1: votes yes because it's more than he'll get if it goes to 3 pirates 5 Pirates 5: proposes 96 gold to himself, 0 gold to #4, 0 gold to #3, 2 gold to #2 and 2 gold to #1. 4: votes no 3: votes no 2: votes yes because it's more than he'll get if it goes to 4 pirates 1: votes yes because it's more than he'll get if it goes to 4 pirates So the first pirate will propose 96 to himself, 2 to the second youngest and 2 to the youngest and this will pass 3 to 2.