Prisoner to be freed

The warden meets with 23 new prisoners when they arrive. He tells them, "You may meet today and plan a strategy. But after today, you will be in isolated cells and will have no communication with one another.

"In the prison is a switch room, which contains two light switches labeled 1 and 2, each of which can be in either up or the down position. I am not telling you their present positions. The switches are not connected to anything.

"After today, from time to time whenever I feel so inclined, I will select one prisoner at random and escort him to the switch room. This prisoner will select one of the two switches and reverse its position. He must flip one switch when he visits the switch room, and may only flip one of the switches. Then he'll be led back to his cell.

"No one else will be allowed to alter the switches until I lead the next prisoner into the switch room. I'm going to choose prisoners at random. I may choose the same guy three times in a row, or I may jump around and come back. I will not touch the switches, if I wanted you dead you would already be dead.

"Given enough time, everyone will eventually visit the switch room the same number of times as everyone else. At any time, anyone may declare to me, 'We have all visited the switch room.'

"If it is true, then you will all be set free. If it is false, and somebody has not yet visited the switch room, you will all die horribly. You will be carefully monitored, and any attempt to break any of these rules will result in instant death to all of you"

What is the strategy they come up with so that they can be free?




Similar Riddles

What type of tree can I carry in my hand?

Asked by Neha on 04 Apr 2025


Replace the question mark with the number below given a simple math problem.

Fill the Question Mark

Asked by Neha on 03 Dec 2024

Can you solve the tricky chess rebus puzzle below by ciphering the hidden meaning?

Chess Rebus Riddle

Asked by Neha on 19 Dec 2020


If you had a pizza with crust thickness 'a' and radius 'z', what's the volume of the pizza?

Asked by Neha on 30 May 2024

During an interview, the interviewer ordered hot coffee for the candidate to relieve the stress. The coffee was kept before him. After a minute, the interviewer asked him, 'What is before you?' He replied 'Tea'.

The candidate was selected immediately. Why?

Asked by Neha on 16 Jun 2024

What has six faces, but does not wear makeup, has twenty-one eyes, but cannot see? What is it?

Asked by Neha on 26 Mar 2022


John is pretty weird. He likes toffees but hates chocolates. He loves books but never reads. He likes to build his troops in an online game but does not proceed with the war. He likes to go swimming but is afraid of water.

Seeking this behaviour, can you tell whether he likes balloons and parties?

Asked by Neha on 05 May 2024

Can you count the number of triangles in the picture below?

Count the Triangle

Asked by Neha on 11 Apr 2024

They are the five precious gems of an everyday sort and all can be found on a Tennis Court. Who are they?

Asked by Neha on 21 Apr 2024


What do you call a fish without an eye?

Asked by Neha on 21 Apr 2023

Hot Articles

Amazing Facts

Out of the Box

The phrase “thinking outside the box” was popularised from the solution to a topographical puzzle involving 9 dots in a box shape.