Brain Teasers
Politicians
You are traveling around the world and you discover a unique island. You learn that the inhabitants of this island possess very unique qualities. First of all, all politicians are liars, and always lie. The inhabitants that are not politicians always tell the truth. When you meet the first inhabitant you ask him if he is a politician, he answers. Upon meeting the second inhabitant, he claims that the first inhabitant denied being a politician. The third inhabitant states that the first inhabitant is, indeed, a politician.
How many politicians have you encountered?
How many politicians have you encountered?
Answer
1 politician.The first inhabitant will deny being a politician if he is a politician or if he is not a politician.
Therefore, the second inhabitant is not a politician because the first inhabitant did in fact deny being a politician.
If the third inhabitant is not a politician and is truthful, then the first inhabitant is a politician.
If the third inhabitant is a politician and liar, then the first inhabitant would not be a politician.
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