I've seen this one before but just can't it out.......any help greatly appreciated
King Petras is the ruler of a medieval empire. Tomorrow he will celebrate the marriage of his eldest daughter Ailín. One problem - the evil count Pierre Foutou has poisoned one of the barrels holding the wine that will accompany the feast. King Petras however has an unlimited supply of political prisoners who can "taste test" the wine for him.
The poison exhibits no symptoms until death. Death occurs within twenty four hours after consuming even the minutest amount of poison - there will be no chance for any prisoner to be "used" more than once.
What is the smallest number of prisoners required to drink from the barrels to be absolutely sure to find the poisoned barrel, for the following number of barrels?:
i) 1500 , answer =
ii) 58 , answer =
iii) 450 , answer =
King Petras is the ruler of a medieval empire. Tomorrow he will celebrate the marriage of his eldest daughter Ailín. One problem - the evil count Pierre Foutou has poisoned one of the barrels holding the wine that will accompany the feast. King Petras however has an unlimited supply of political prisoners who can "taste test" the wine for him.
The poison exhibits no symptoms until death. Death occurs within twenty four hours after consuming even the minutest amount of poison - there will be no chance for any prisoner to be "used" more than once.
What is the smallest number of prisoners required to drink from the barrels to be absolutely sure to find the poisoned barrel, for the following number of barrels?:
i) 1500 , answer =
ii) 58 , answer =
iii) 450 , answer =