How many of these red beauties could you obtain if you properly curbed your greed?
Credit: Victor Moussa
You have three covered boxes of Burmese rubies before you. You know there are a total of 30 identical seven-carat rubies in the three boxes. You can ask for a certain number of rubies from each box. If you ask for more than there are, you get none from that box. Otherwise, you get what you asked for from that box. For now, suppose you must state your requests in advance for all three boxes and have no chance to change your mind; that is, with no feedback.
Warm-Up. Given no further constraints, how many rubies do you ask for from each box?
No entries found
Log in to Read the Full Article
Sign In
Sign in using your ACM Web Account username and password to access premium content if you are an ACM member, Communications subscriber or Digital Library subscriber.
Need Access?
Please select one of the options below for access to premium content and features.
Create a Web Account
If you are already an ACM member, Communications subscriber, or Digital Library subscriber, please set up a web account to access premium content on this site.
Join the ACM
Become a member to take full advantage of ACM's outstanding computing information resources, networking opportunities, and other benefits.
Subscribe to Communications of the ACM Magazine
Get full access to 50+ years of CACM content and receive the print version of the magazine monthly.
Purchase the Article
Non-members can purchase this article or a copy of the magazine in which it appears.
