The results of a recent Chess tournament between five close rivals is described below:
Dale finished before Alex. Emery finished after Bailey. Alex finished before Chris. Emery finished after Dale. Bailey finished before Alex. Dale finished after Bailey. Chris finished before Emery.
Who finished where?
Hint
Try rewriting each statement so that they are all 'finished before' statements instead.
Answer
Bailey won …
… then Dale, Alex, Chris, and Emery.
Reasoning
By placing the person who finished higher to the left, we have:
Dale finished before Alex (Dale > Alex)Emery finished after Bailey (Bailey > Emery)Alex finished before Chris (Alex > Chris)Emery finished after Dale (Dale > Emery)Bailey finished before Alex (Bailey > Alex)Dale finished after Bailey (Bailey > Dale)Chris finished before Emery (Chris > Emery)
From (1) and (3):
Dale > Alex > Chris
Adding (7):
Dale > Alex > Chris > Emery
Adding (6):
Bailey > Dale > Alex > Chris > Emery
Which is the final placing for all the players, and can be double-checked with the remaining clues.
??
Puzzle 18
I recently gave a new watch to my friend for their birthday.
However, as usual with my presents, it was quite useless as it gains 6 minutes every hour.
I set it using my own accurate clock at midnight, and the watch now shows 8:26am.
I know that it stopped 30 minutes ago, so what is the correct time now?