Brain Teasers
If There's a Camel
Every year during his birthday, the Sultan sponsors 3 camel races with the following prizes (listed in order 1st, 2nd, 3rd):
RACE A
$500
300
100
RACE B
$250
150
75
RACE C
$150
100
50
$500 bonus for winning all 3 Races. (SLAM)
$200 bonus for winning 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in any one Race (SWEEP).
ALI BOBO tells you that he owns the 3rd ("Aluminum"), 6th("Boron"), and 9th("Copper") fastest camels. He concedes that KAREEM owns the 1st, 4th, and 7th fastest camels, while SHARIF has the 2nd, 5th, and 8th fastest entries. There are other owners but with far inferior camels.
The Rules
a. Maximum 3 camels per owner.
b. A camel can run only in one race.
c. An owner may enter his camels all in one race or distribute them as he desires.
Last year ALI BOBO's camels won third place in each of the 3 Races. His gross winnings amounted to $225.
ALI BOBO wants a risk-free strategy to increase his total winnings.
QUESTION: What should be ALI BOBO's strategy?
RACE A
$500
300
100
RACE B
$250
150
75
RACE C
$150
100
50
$500 bonus for winning all 3 Races. (SLAM)
$200 bonus for winning 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in any one Race (SWEEP).
ALI BOBO tells you that he owns the 3rd ("Aluminum"), 6th("Boron"), and 9th("Copper") fastest camels. He concedes that KAREEM owns the 1st, 4th, and 7th fastest camels, while SHARIF has the 2nd, 5th, and 8th fastest entries. There are other owners but with far inferior camels.
The Rules
a. Maximum 3 camels per owner.
b. A camel can run only in one race.
c. An owner may enter his camels all in one race or distribute them as he desires.
Last year ALI BOBO's camels won third place in each of the 3 Races. His gross winnings amounted to $225.
ALI BOBO wants a risk-free strategy to increase his total winnings.
QUESTION: What should be ALI BOBO's strategy?
Hint
Sometimes we must sacrifice some battles to win the war.Answer
Ali Bobo must enter Copper in Race A, Aluminum in Race B, and Boron in Race C.SCENARIOS
1. Kareem defends his Slam and fields his camels in RACES A,B, and C according to their speed. Shariff follows that same strategy.
ALI's Aluminum will win in Race B over the K(4th) and S(5th). Boron will win in Race C over K(7th) and S(8th). Copper will still place 3rd in Race A. Total Winnings $500.
2. Kareem defends his SLAM. Shariff follows Ali's strategy.
Aluminum will place second to S(2nd) in Race B. Boron will place second to S(5th) in Race C. Copper will place third to K(1st) and S(8th). Total winnings: $350.
3. Kareem loses his mind and does not go for the grand slam. He enters his 3 camels in Race A. Shariff follows his strategy in Scenario 1.
Copper will not win anything in Race A. Aluminum will win in Race B. Boron will win in Race C. Winnings: $400.
4. Same as Scenario 3 but Shariff has same strategy as Ali.
Copper loses in Race A. Aluminum places second in Race B. Boron places second in Race C. Winnings $250.
5. Kareem camels all in Race A. Shariff's all in race B.
Copper loses in Race A. Aluminum still places second in Race B. Boron wins in Race C. Winnings $300.
6. Kareem defends his slam. Shariff camels all in race B.
Copper will place second in Race A. Aluminum will still be second in Race B. Boron will win over K(7th) Winnings:$600.
7. Kareem and Shariff has same strategy as Ali.
Copper will be third, Aluminum will be third. Boron will be third. Winnings:$225. Same as last year.
There are other scenarios but with the strategy with the worst case scenario for Ali is $225.
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