TED-Ed: Can you solve the prisoner boxes riddle? - Yossi Elran

A band must find their instruments in randomly placed boxes to avoid being dropped by their label. Each member can open five boxes, but cannot communicate findings. The drummer devises a strategy with a 35% success rate, involving following a sequence of boxes starting with the one showing their instrument. This method restricts searches to loops containing their instrument, improving odds over random guessing. The video explains the strategy's effectiveness and how to calculate success odds, demonstrating with a simplified case. As the number of musicians increases, the odds approach 30%.

What is the main challenge the band faces before their concert?

• Convincing the manager to extend the tour

• Dealing with a broken tour bus

• Learning new songs quickly

• Finding their instruments in randomly placed boxes

What is the initial probability of each musician finding their instrument by random guessing?

• 10%

• 50%

• 25%

• 75%

What is the first step in the drummer's strategy for finding the instruments?

• Open any random box

• Open the box with the picture of their instrument

• Ask the manager for help

• Communicate with other band members

Why does the drummer's strategy work better than random guessing?

• It involves opening all boxes

• It relies on luck

• It restricts the search to a loop containing the instrument

• It allows communication between band members

As the number of musicians increases, what do the odds of success approach?

• 30%

• 40%

• 10%

• 20%