Brain Teasers
Joe Prestige Always Gets His Way
Situation
Situation puzzles (sometimes called lateral thinking puzzles) are ones where you need to ask lots of yes or no questions to figure out what happened in the situation. These are good puzzles for groups where one person knows the puzzle and answers the questions.Situation
Joe Prestige II is the son of a billionaire, and has grown accustomed to getting whatever he wants. Joe Sr. was born into a very poor family and has achieved his success only through hard work. Upon his high school graduation, Joe Jr. says to his father, "Dad, I have decided not to waste my time with college, just give me my trust fund and I'll be off to see the world." Well, Joe Sr. decides that it's high time for his son to receive a lesson in humility. He says, "Joe, I'll make you a deal. I will enroll you in a freshman English class at the local university. If you can complete the class with perfect attendance, and an 'A' average, you get your trust fund."
Joe Jr. goes to class faithfully for the entire semester, and has a low 'A' average going into the final exam. Before the exam, the professor, Dr. Stickler, explains, "This exam consists of six essay questions, and will count as 50% of your final grade. You will have exactly 60 minutes to complete this exam. At the end of 60 minutes, you will stop writing immediately and return your exam booklet to my desk. Anyone found to be writing after time is called, will receive an 'F' on this exam."
Thirty minutes into the exam, Joe Jr. realizes that he has taken way too long on the first two questions, and will never finish on time. But he is taking the exam in one of those huge lecture halls with five or six hundred other students, so he gets an idea. When Dr. Stickler calls time, Joe Jr. calmly continues writing, figuring that he can squeeze out an extra ten minutes while the others are walking their exams down to the professor's desk. His plan seems to work, and he is able to finish the final question before all of the other exams have been returned. He is certain that he has done well, but just as Joe Jr. is about the turn in his exam booklet, Dr. Stickler turns to him and says harshly, "Young man, I saw you writing after I called time -- you will receive an 'F' on this exam!"
Joe Jr. condescendingly replies, "Mister, you may be making a career-altering decision here. Do you have ANY IDEA who I am?" Dr. Stickler smugly retorts," I do not know, nor frankly do I care WHO you are -- you disobeyed my rules, and you will now pay the price."
With a bit of quick thinking, Joe Jr. ends up with an 'A' in Dr. Stickler's English class and receives his trust fund.
How did he do it?
Joe Jr. goes to class faithfully for the entire semester, and has a low 'A' average going into the final exam. Before the exam, the professor, Dr. Stickler, explains, "This exam consists of six essay questions, and will count as 50% of your final grade. You will have exactly 60 minutes to complete this exam. At the end of 60 minutes, you will stop writing immediately and return your exam booklet to my desk. Anyone found to be writing after time is called, will receive an 'F' on this exam."
Thirty minutes into the exam, Joe Jr. realizes that he has taken way too long on the first two questions, and will never finish on time. But he is taking the exam in one of those huge lecture halls with five or six hundred other students, so he gets an idea. When Dr. Stickler calls time, Joe Jr. calmly continues writing, figuring that he can squeeze out an extra ten minutes while the others are walking their exams down to the professor's desk. His plan seems to work, and he is able to finish the final question before all of the other exams have been returned. He is certain that he has done well, but just as Joe Jr. is about the turn in his exam booklet, Dr. Stickler turns to him and says harshly, "Young man, I saw you writing after I called time -- you will receive an 'F' on this exam!"
Joe Jr. condescendingly replies, "Mister, you may be making a career-altering decision here. Do you have ANY IDEA who I am?" Dr. Stickler smugly retorts," I do not know, nor frankly do I care WHO you are -- you disobeyed my rules, and you will now pay the price."
With a bit of quick thinking, Joe Jr. ends up with an 'A' in Dr. Stickler's English class and receives his trust fund.
How did he do it?
Hint
Joe Jr. had no distinguishing features.Answer
Assured of his anonymity, Joe Jr. simply slid his exam booklet into the middle of the pile on the professor's desk, and ran out of the lecture hall.Hide Hint Show Hint Hide Answer Show Answer
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