Gangster family

5 greedy yet intelligent brothers (all different ages) have to take a decision of how they should divide 50 precious diamonds inherited from their gangster father, among themselves. They set a rule. The eldest brother will propose a solution and all (including the proposer) will vote 'yes' or 'no' for this. If the number of 'yes' is more than or equal to 50%, his solution will be accepted and division will happen according to his proposal. Otherwise, the solution will not be accepted and the proposing brother will be disowned by the family and the process will be repeated by the remaining family members. Assuming that everyone wants to stay with the family, how will the division happen?

Originally posted by smartarin
5 greedy yet intelligent brothers (all different ages) have to take a decision of how they should divide 50 precious diamonds inherited from their gangster father, among themselves. They set a rule. The eldest brother will propose a solution and all (including the proposer) will vote 'yes' or 'no' for this. If the number of 'yes' is more than or equal to 5 ...[text shortened]... mbers. Assuming that everyone wants to stay with the family, how will the division happen?

Reveal Hidden Content

Seems not to open. Select reply & quote to read, but don't reply.

I agree with VelvetEars. Reveal Hidden Content

Maybe I've been watching too many mob movies, but nobody in that family is going to screw the rest.

Originally posted by VelvetEars
[hidden] 48, 0, 1, 0, 1[/hidden]

But then the first brother wakes up with a horse's head.

Originally posted by wolfgang59
But then the first brother wakes up with a horse's head.

Therein lies the gangster paradox...

Originally posted by smartarin
5 greedy yet intelligent brothers (all different ages) have to take a decision of how they should divide 50 precious diamonds inherited from their gangster father, among themselves. They set a rule. The eldest brother will propose a solution and all (including the proposer) will vote 'yes' or 'no' for this. If the number of 'yes' is more than or equal to 5 ...[text shortened]... mbers. Assuming that everyone wants to stay with the family, how will the division happen?

There is the additional problem, apparently not considered by some, that if less than 50% do not accept, the older brother is out, and the process starts again. This is why I disagree with 48,0,1,0,1. These are gangsters, and the problem allows for them to kick out the older brother, so the older brother should sacrifice himself to get anything at all. Consider that if the older brother is kicked out, then 50 diamonds are shared among 4 brothers, and, if no acceptable solution, than 50 diamonds shared among 3 brothers, and so on. The second youngest brother seems in the cat-bird's seat, as he can't be kicked out if he votes for his own solution (two brothers left, he is 50😵, and his vote becomes increasing more important if there is no solution. It is in the younger brothers' interest, vote no until they are guaranteed a large portion.
The oldest brother is the most screwed, with the second youngest brother the most advantageous if the process gets to him. It wouldn't, of course.
For example, if 4 brothers vote no on the first round, than the 4 have more for themselves. If in the next round, 3 brothers vote no, they have more for themselves. In the round with the three brothers, the third youngest brother will be wise to 25, 0, 25, up to 49,0,1 as if the youngest brother votes no, along with the second youngest brother, than in the next round the second youngest brother can propose 50,0 and still have 50%.
So, I say the most likely event is first round: reject, second round: reject, third round, accept.

Originally posted by JS357
[hidden] Our dad was a gangster. It sounds like we are too, or are willing to be. If left to me, I'd propose that we fence the rocks and split the proceeds; to build loyalty and minimize exposure.[/hidden]

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Don't put line returns in hidden it doesn't work

Originally posted by JS357
[hidden] Our dad was a gangster. It sounds like we are too, or are willing to be. If left to me, I'd propose that we fence the rocks and split the proceeds; to build loyalty and minimize exposure.[/hidden]

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iamatiger, I don't think I put line returns in this.

Originally posted by JS357
iamatiger, I don't think I put line returns in this.

Correct. It was the apostrophe that did the dastardly deed. You get:

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while you get

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but you can cure that if you escape the apostrophe with a backslash

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Richard

Originally posted by Shallow Blue
[hidden]this if you've got an apostrophe in it[/hidden]

but you can cure that if you escape the apostrophe with a backslash

[hidden]so this\'un should work.[/hidden]

And the quote above should show how I did it.

Richard

Originally posted by Shallow Blue
Correct. It was the apostrophe that did the dastardly deed. You get:

[hidden]this if you put
newlines inside[/hidden]

while you get

[hidden]this if you've got an apostrophe in it[/hidden]

but you can cure that if you escape the apostrophe with a backslash

[hidden]so this\'un should work.[/hidden]

Richard

Thanks.

Originally posted by wolfgang59
But then the first brother wakes up with a horse's head.

No, that was in the Merlin movie🙂 He wakes up with a REAL horses head!

Originally posted by smartarin
5 greedy yet intelligent brothers (all different ages) have to take a decision of how they should divide 50 precious diamonds inherited from their gangster father, among themselves. They set a rule. The eldest brother will propose a solution and all (including the proposer) will vote 'yes' or 'no' for this. If the number of 'yes' is more than or equal to 5 ...[text shortened]... mbers. Assuming that everyone wants to stay with the family, how will the division happen?

why can't they agree to the obvious, 10 diamonds per kid?