Answer to The May 2016Puzzler: Ethics in the Oil Business.
Recall the plight of Guido Gullible: From Hapless Haynie and Double Down Dave, Co-Captains of The
GSH Prospect Prospecti & Chili Cook-off Team, Guido learns of two prospects, Gusher and Duster to
be sold by Honest Harry Hatfield and Sleazy McCoy. Unfortunately, the two have been assigned to the
prospects randomly so we don’t know whether Hapless Harry has the sure-fire Gusher prospect or
the doomed Duster. He knows, but we don’t. Same deal with Sleazy.
Here’s
the good news: Harry always tells the truth, and Sleazy
always lies. The bad news: they are identical in every way and
there’s no way for Guido to know to whom he is speaking
(remember both will tell you they’re Harry)
What one Yes or No question should Guido ask either prospect protector
to determine which prospect, 1 or 2, is the sure-fire producer?
Guido approaches either prospect monger, and simply asks, “Will the other gentleman
identify your prospect as the Gusher?” If the salesman replies, “YES”, then SWITCH. If
the Salesman replies, “NO”, then his is the GUSHER. See how simple Oil Finding is? If
you don’t, see the GSH Website for Details (which you are now doing).
The four possible combinations of Prospects (Gusher and Duster) and Prospect
Pushers (Harry and Sleazy), along with answers to Guido’s question are given in the
table below.
Prospect
Gusher
Honest Harry The Truth Teller
Sleazy McCoy: Inveterate Liar
Harry, knowing that Sleazy
will lie, answers, “NO”.
Sleazy, knowing that Harry will tell
the truth and say, “The other guy
will say ‘yes’”, is forced to say, “NO”.
Guido knows this prospect is
the Gusher.
Harry, knowing that Sleazy
will lie, answers, “YES”.
Duster
Guido Knows this is NOT the
Gusher
Guido now knows this Prospect is
the Gusher
Sleazy, knowing that Harry will tell
the truth and say, “The other guy
will say , ‘No’ ”, is forced to say,
“YES”.
Guido now knows this is NOT the
Gusher