Conundrum #1

[Andy G]

This is a good one(borrowed from Peter Fitzsimons/SMH)

There are 3 lights in the attic, that are operated by 3 seperate switches in the basement. You may turn the switches on/off as many times as you like, but you can only visit the attic once.

How do you work out which switch turns on which light?

Will post the answer in a couple of days, if needed.

 

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Never mind rigging up mirrors, running up and down stairs, using logic, math or physics. Ask your wife.

 

[awpptdt]

Turn on one for 5 minutes then turn it off, turn on the second one and go to the attic. Now you know which switch turned on the one that is lit and by touching the other two you know which one is still warm and which one is cold.

 

[windmist]

Why would any self respecting electrician wire a house to control lights in the attic from the basement? That would be at least 3 flights of stairs to climb and more if you where on the main floor and decided to go to the attic. You would have down to the basement (one flight) to turn on the lights and then up 3 flights of stairs to get to the attic. Just sayin'.

Ron

 

[Marin]

Turn on one for 5 minutes then turn it off, turn on the second one and go to the attic. Now you know which switch turned on the one that is lit and by touching the other two you know which one is still warm and which one is cold.

Now that's a clever answer.

 

[Andy G]

AWPPPDT = I will ask Janet H to give you the keys to the forum(providing of course you had no prior knowlede of the answer, or used outside help)

Windmist = you obviously have never worked in the public service(civil service)

R T Firefly = your wife obviously runs the public service.

Marin = yes.

 

[awpptdt]

No prior knowledge just my best guess. What is the correct answer? If you give me the keys I will most likely loose them in the black hole that exisits in my shop as it has swallowed more nuts, bolts and tools than I can count. It appears to have swallowed a saw horse that I needed yesterday and could not find.

 

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Mr. Andy G. Nope, my wife does NOT run the public service. How dare you suggest that such an inert organization be orchestrated by my better 3/4. Oh, it would be very interesting if she (who would be obeyed) were out in charge. Many pant loads would be produced by the water cooler crowd in anticipation of actually working. Yes, interesting indeed....