Puzzle Of The Death Lever

michaellevenson

Moderator
Staff member
Note: Dr Who fans will recognise where I got this puzzle from!

You are an explorer and have discovered a hitherto unknown pyramid in Egypt. Unfortunately you are locked in the chamber, air is running out and you are going to die.
You have made an Earth shattering discovery, the myths about the ancient gods possibly being alien space travellers is true. Aliens were responsible for this pyramid, two robots of theirs are in the chamber with you. Being an expert on hieroglyphics you discover a message written on the wall, a way to escape the tomb. Two levers are on the wall, and the message says one lever pressed will bring release, the other instant death. The robots know which lever is which. Before deciding which lever to press you are allowed to ask one robot, one question, and only ONE. However one robot is programmed always to lie, the other always tells the truth. What is the one question you must ask to determine which is the death lever and which is the lever of life?
 
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michaellevenson

Moderator
Staff member
The one question to ask is this, ask either robot, " if I ask your fellow robot which is the lever of life which lever would he point to?"
If you're asking the truth robot, then the one he indicates is the death lever. But if he is the liar he is lying so he'll still be indicating the death lever, so the other is the life lever.
 
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