On an island each person either always tells the truth or always lies. Kiran says: "Nia is a liar." Owen says: "Kiran and I are the same type." Nia says: "Owen is a truth-teller." Which of the following is correct?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Truth-tellers: Kiran; liars: Owen and Nia
- Step 1: Try each possible assignment of truth-teller or liar and check every statement against it. Step 2. Only one assignment makes all three people consistent, which is: Truth-tellers: Kiran; liars: Owen and Nia. Answer: Truth-tellers: Kiran; liars: Owen and Nia. Why not the others: 'Truth-tellers: Owen; liars: Kiran and Nia' fails because Kiran would be a liar but the statement "Nia is a liar" would then be true; 'Truth-tellers: Nia; liars: Kiran and Owen' fails because Owen would be a liar but the statement "Kiran and I are the same type" would then be true; 'Truth-tellers: Owen and Nia; liars: Kiran' fails because Owen would be a truth-teller but the statement "Kiran and I are the same type" would then be false.
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