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One Hundred Prisoners and a Light Bulb

In: One Hundred Prisoners and a Light Bulb

Author

Listed:
  • Hans van Ditmarsch

    (Université de Lorraine, LORIA, CNRS)

  • Barteld Kooi

    (University of Groningen, Faculty of Philosophy)

Abstract

A group of 100 prisoners, all together in the prison dining area, are told that they will be all put in isolation cells and then will be interrogated one by one in a room containing a light with an on/off switch. The prisoners may communicate with one another by toggling the light switch (and that is the only way in which they can communicate). The light is initially switched off. There is no fixed order of interrogation, or interval between interrogations, and the same prisoner may be interrogated again at any stage. When interrogated, a prisoner can either do nothing, or toggle the light switch, or announce that all prisoners have been interrogated. If that announcement is true, the prisoners will (all) be set free, but if it is false, they will all be executed. While still in the dining room, and before the prisoners go to their isolation cells (forever), can the prisoners agree on a protocol that will set them free?

Suggested Citation

  • Hans van Ditmarsch & Barteld Kooi, 2015. "One Hundred Prisoners and a Light Bulb," Springer Books, in: One Hundred Prisoners and a Light Bulb, edition 127, chapter 9, pages 83-94, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-319-16694-0_9
    DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-16694-0_9
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