Puzzle : The Password Challenge by Evil Troll
A bridge was guarded by an evil
troll. The troll was very intelligent, but he was also a coward. He was
afraid of anyone smarter than him. So every time anyone tried to cross
the bridge, the troll would set up a test. If the traveler passed the
test, he would be allowed to cross. Otherwise, the troll would eat him.
Three travelers, Al, Ben and Carl, came across the bridge.
The troll
told them, "You may only cross my bridge if you know the password."
He
wrote five three-letter words on a rock. The five words were HOE, OAR,
PAD, TOE, and VAT.
He then said, "I will tell each of you a different letter from the password. If you know what the password is, I will let you pass. But don't tell anyone else your letter."
He then said, "I will tell each of you a different letter from the password. If you know what the password is, I will let you pass. But don't tell anyone else your letter."
He then whispered a letter from the
password to each traveler so that neither of the other two could hear
him.
Then the troll asked Al, "Do you know what the password is?" "Yes," said Al, and the troll let him pass.
Then the troll asked Ben, "Do you know what the password is?" "Yes," said Ben, and the troll let him pass.
Then the troll asked Carl, "Do you know what the password is?" "Yes," said Carl, and the troll let him pass.
So, what is the password?
THIS is the correct password!
One more such challenge by an evil troll!
Then the troll asked Al, "Do you know what the password is?" "Yes," said Al, and the troll let him pass.
Then the troll asked Ben, "Do you know what the password is?" "Yes," said Ben, and the troll let him pass.
Then the troll asked Carl, "Do you know what the password is?" "Yes," said Carl, and the troll let him pass.
So, what is the password?
THIS is the correct password!
One more such challenge by an evil troll!