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The two robots
14 July 2007
Adrian Lewis explains why asking the right person the right question in the right way will reap rewards
The following is a parable familiar to Dr Who fans and applies to anyone carrying out a business transaction.
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Imagine that you are forced to flee for your life down a long corridor. At the end of the corridor there are two doors, each attended by a robot. One door leads to certain death and the other to freedom, but you do not know which is which. You must make a decision as to which door to go through. Fortunately you are allowed to ask one and only one question of either of the two robots. However, one robot can only lie and the other can only tell the truth. As with the doors, you do not know which robot is which.
Getting the right answer
What is your question and which door do you take?
The question is, ‘if I ask your companion to point to the door that leads to freedom, which will he point to?’ It doesn’t matter which robot you ask, but whichever door the robot suggests, make sure you take the other.
Ask the right person the right question in the right way and you will get the answer that is right for you.