Question

Five Pirates Riddle (for fun)

Answer 1

There are 5 pirates (let's call them A, B, C, D, and E for simplicity) who find 100 gold coins in a treasure chest. According to the pirate code, this is the method they will use to split the treasure:

Pirate A, the oldest, can propose a plan to distribute the coins. If at least 50% of the pirates agree (including the person who proposed the plan) then the plan passes. Otherwise, pirate A gets tossed overboard and the process repeats with Pirate B.

Answer 2

Assume that the pirates are:

1. Selfish. Each pirate wants as much gold as they can get without being tossed overboard.
2. Logical. Each pirate will consider all possible outcomes before voting.
3. Mean. If a pirate feels like they do not have any advantage or disadvantage by any particular pirate's plan, they will vote against it just to see the pirate get tossed overboard.

What ends up being the final distribution of coins?

Hint: think backwards, with the worst possible scenario for pirate E.

Answer 3

*** disclaimer: I didn't make this riddle up ***