The New Sudoku Players' Forum

[rjamil]

Ok. This one is probably the second last riddle of the current series. (All current series' riddles are generated by the help of Google AI.)

Here is a classic, brutal pure logic puzzle known as The Three Gods. It contains zero wordplay, zero tricks, and requires absolute step-by-step deduction.

The Scenario

You are trapped in a temple with three gods: True, False, and Random.

• True always speaks the truth.
• False always lies.
• Random decides whether to tell the truth or lie completely at random (like a coin flip in his head).

They all look identical, speak in the same voice, and understand English perfectly. However, they will only answer your questions in their own divine language using the words "da" and "ja".

One of these words means "yes" and the other means "no", but you do not know which is which.

The Challenge

You are allowed to ask exactly three yes/no questions, and each question must be put to exactly one god (you can ask the same god multiple questions, or change gods).

The Riddle: How can you determine the identities of True, False, and Random?

(Tip: Your first goal must be to locate a god who is definitely NOT Random.)

R. Jamil

[rjamil]

Oops!! The same riddle is already asked before here with different title.

However, the answer is as follows:

The Solution

The key is to construct a compound question that cancels out both the "da/ja" mystery and the "True/False" swapping behavior.

We use this template question: "If I were to ask you X, would you say 'da'?"
If the true answer to X is "yes", a non-random god must answer "da". If the true answer to X is "no", they must answer "ja". (The double-negative nature of the question perfectly fixes the language barrier).

Here is the exact 3-step strategy to win:

Question 1: Find a Non-Random God

Pick the middle god (God B) and ask:

• "If I were to ask you if God A is Random, would you say 'da'?"
• If B answers "da": Either B is Random, or B is not Random and the answer is truly yes (meaning A is Random). Either way, God C is definitely NOT Random.
• If B answers "ja": Either B is Random, or B is not Random and the answer is truly no (meaning A is not Random). Either way, God A is definitely NOT Random.

Question 2: Identify the Non-Random God

Let’s assume Question 1 pointed you to God C as the safe, non-random god. Turn to God C and ask:

• "If I were to ask you if you are True, would you say 'da'?"
• If C answers "da": C is True.
• If C answers "ja": C is False.

Question 3: Unmask the Rest

Now you fully know C's identity (let’s assume C is True). Turn back to C and ask:

• "If I were to ask you if God A is Random, would you say 'da'?"
• If C answers "da": Then A is Random, which leaves B to be False.
• If C answers "ja": Then A is False, which leaves B to be Random.

R. Jamil