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Why the hot light bulb annoys me

Peter Rowlett discusses a puzzle about three switches outside a closed room, with one controlling a light bulb inside. Find out the solution and learn about grammar and sorites tests. Presented at the 2nd Maths Jam Conference, 12-13 Nov 2011.

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Why the hot light bulb annoys me

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  1. Why the hot light bulb annoys me Peter Rowlett peterrowlett.net @peterrowlett 2nd Maths Jam Conference, 12-13 Nov 2011

  2. A puzzle • There are 3 switches outside a closed room. One of them controls a lightbulb inside. • Flip switches as much as you like then open the door and say which switch controls the lightbulb.

  3. Solution • Flip A. Wait 10 minutes. Flip A back. • Flip B. Open the door. • Three options: • Lightbulb is on: it’s B. • Lightbulb is off and cold: it’s C. • Lightbulb is off and hot: it’s A.

  4. Grammar test • Which is correct?

  5. Grammar test • A: don’t be silly, the yolk of an egg is yellow

  6. A sorites • babies are illogical • illogical persons are despised • no one is despised who can manage a crocodile

  7. A sorites • babies => illogical • illogical => despised • manage a crocodile => not despisedor despised => not manage a crocodile A: babies cannot manage crocodiles

  8. For me, saying “don’t be silly, a yolk is yellow” is like saying “of course babies can’t manage crocodiles”

  9. There are 3 switches outside a closed room. One of them controls a lightbulb inside. • Flip switches as much as you like then open the door and say which switch controls the lightbulb.

  10. Why the hot light bulb annoys me Peter Rowlett peterrowlett.net @peterrowlett 2nd Maths Jam Conference, 12-13 Nov 2011

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