Brain Teasers
Who Broke the Window
John, Pete, Tom, George, and Steve are brothers. One day, one of them broke a window. When their father asked them who did it, they gave the following answers:
John: "It was Pete or Tom."
Pete: "It was neither George nor me."
Tom: "Both of you are lying."
Steve: "No, only one of them is lying."
George: "No, Steve, you are wrong."
Then their mother added: "Three of my sons are telling the truth, but I do not believe what the two others said."
Who broke the window?
John: "It was Pete or Tom."
Pete: "It was neither George nor me."
Tom: "Both of you are lying."
Steve: "No, only one of them is lying."
George: "No, Steve, you are wrong."
Then their mother added: "Three of my sons are telling the truth, but I do not believe what the two others said."
Who broke the window?
Hint
If you find it difficult to use logic alone, then use trial and error by assuming each one of the five sons broke the window, and list whether they are telling a lie or the truth.Answer
By assuming that each of the five brothers broke the window and seeing how many told the truth, only Tom can be the person who broke the window.Hide Hint Show Hint Hide Answer Show Answer
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