I recognize some of these from my math competition days. Fun stuff!
But I’ve always felt somewhat unsatisfied/annoyed at certain sorts of such problems. I’ll refrain from commenting on the “real” (i.e., expected by the problem-writers) solutions, but here are some “joke” solutions, which express my views on this matter in an oblique way…
Safe sex
The definition of what constitutes “sex” has changed! Penetrative intercourse is not the only sex act that is, among the enlightened, accepted as constituting “sex”. Therefore, to solve this problem, let the man engage in a mutually satisfactory non-penetrative sex act of his choice with each woman. This requires the use of zero condoms, and avoids STD transmission.
Wristcuffs
It is not unheard of for people who find that they are immobilized by a trapped limb to sever that limb in exchange for freedom. Such a remedy will suit the two people in this problem. Note that out of the four extremities involved, only one must be severed in order to free both individuals (and the choice of hand is entirely arbitrary).
Going postal
Despite invoking the infamously-unreliable Russian postal service to construct the scenario, the author of this problem displays a sadly insufficient degree of pessimism about said institution’s performance and sanity. The problem relies on the presumptive fact that while a ring sent by Russian post will get stolen en route (true), a lockbox sent by Russian post will be delivered intact (false).
Sent by Russian post, a box will be stolen. A key will be stolen. A locked box will be pried open, its contents stolen, and the box also stolen. There is no solution. There is no recourse. There is no hope.
I recognize some of these from my math competition days. Fun stuff!
But I’ve always felt somewhat unsatisfied/annoyed at certain sorts of such problems. I’ll refrain from commenting on the “real” (i.e., expected by the problem-writers) solutions, but here are some “joke” solutions, which express my views on this matter in an oblique way…
Safe sex
The definition of what constitutes “sex” has changed! Penetrative intercourse is not the only sex act that is, among the enlightened, accepted as constituting “sex”. Therefore, to solve this problem, let the man engage in a mutually satisfactory non-penetrative sex act of his choice with each woman. This requires the use of zero condoms, and avoids STD transmission.
Wristcuffs
It is not unheard of for people who find that they are immobilized by a trapped limb to sever that limb in exchange for freedom. Such a remedy will suit the two people in this problem. Note that out of the four extremities involved, only one must be severed in order to free both individuals (and the choice of hand is entirely arbitrary).
Going postal
Despite invoking the infamously-unreliable Russian postal service to construct the scenario, the author of this problem displays a sadly insufficient degree of pessimism about said institution’s performance and sanity. The problem relies on the presumptive fact that while a ring sent by Russian post will get stolen en route (true), a lockbox sent by Russian post will be delivered intact (false).
Sent by Russian post, a box will be stolen. A key will be stolen. A locked box will be pried open, its contents stolen, and the box also stolen. There is no solution. There is no recourse. There is no hope.