Question 20
Three cards, each with a positive integer written on it, are lying face-down on a table. Casey, Stacy, and Tracy are told that
(a) the numbers are all different,
(b) they sum to $13,$ and
(c) they are in increasing order, left to right.
First, Casey looks at the number on the leftmost card and says, “I don’t have enough information to determine the other two numbers.” Then Tracy looks at the number on the rightmost card and says, “I don’t have enough information to determine the other two numbers.” Finally, Stacy looks at the number on the middle card and says, “I don’t have enough information to determine the other two numbers.” Assume that each person knows that the other two reason perfectly and hears their comments. What number is on the middle card?
(a) the numbers are all different,
(b) they sum to $13,$ and
(c) they are in increasing order, left to right.
First, Casey looks at the number on the leftmost card and says, “I don’t have enough information to determine the other two numbers.” Then Tracy looks at the number on the rightmost card and says, “I don’t have enough information to determine the other two numbers.” Finally, Stacy looks at the number on the middle card and says, “I don’t have enough information to determine the other two numbers.” Assume that each person knows that the other two reason perfectly and hears their comments. What number is on the middle card?