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Light Switch Riddle

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  • Super User

You are in a room with three light switches. They control three light bulbs in an adjacent room. All the bulbs are initially off. You cannot see into the other room. You can flip any number of switches and in any order. You are trying to find out what switch controls what bulb in the other room. Once you are done flipping the switches, you must leave that room and you cannot go back. How do you know what switch controls what bulb?

 

DM me the answer so you do not spoil it and I will tell you if you are right. I promise you this is all the information you need. I solved this when someone asked me, but it did take me a bit. 
 

 

  • Author
  • Super User
11 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

did you watch Alice in Borderland on Netflix?  A variant of this puzzle featured there.

I have not watched that. When someone asked me, it was the first I heard it

did an apprentice electrician wire these lights and switches? Changes my answer completely if he did....

 

Also changes my answer if its an experienced electrician who was just told he cant work OT this weekend. 

  • Super User

Dude - as a guy who had his Journeyman License years ago...I just have one thing to ask.

 

What are you on?

Only works if you clarify that you can go into the room with the light bulbs one time after doing whatever you want with the switches.  Otherwise it is impossible.  If you can do that however it is rather easy.

  • Super User

The answer with outlets is to use a radio. Has to be something similar. Can I send an assistant into the room? A cell phone camera?

  • Super User
44 minutes ago, Deephaven said:

Only works if you clarify that you can go into the room with the light bulbs one time after doing whatever you want with the switches.  Otherwise it is impossible.  If you can do that however it is rather easy.

Also works better if you know that the working light bulbs are 30 years old

  • Super User

I couldn't figure it out so I ask AI and it gave me the answer.   Do I dare ask AI if mono or flouro is better?

  • Super User
5 hours ago, Tennessee Boy said:

I couldn't figure it out so I ask AI and it gave me the answer.   Do I dare ask AI if mono or flouro is better?

Do it

  • Author
  • Super User
6 minutes ago, slonezp said:

Do it

Siri has an opinion. And she is not apologetic about it

IMG_0685.jpeg

I asked her if she was sure and she said "surely." 

 

Siri will make an excellent forum member

  • Super User
9 minutes ago, LrgmouthShad said:

Siri has an opinion. And she is not apologetic about it

IMG_0685.jpeg

I asked her if she was sure and she said "surely." 

 

Siri will make an excellent forum member

The master has spoken. Her directions leave something to desire. Siri couldn't find her way out of a wet paper bag.

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