A spreadsheet solution to Einstein's Riddle
by Mike C. Patterson, Bob Harmel, Dan Friesen
International Journal of Technology, Policy and Management (IJTPM), Vol. 7, No. 1, 2007

Abstract: 'Einstein's Riddle' is a challenging exercise in logic. The riddle is structured such that there are five people, each with a unique set of attributes. The attributes are nationality, house colour, pet, cigar brand, favourite beverage and house position. The riddle consists of a series of 15 hints designed to lead the riddle solver through the logical exercise of eliminating incorrect combinations of attributes. The riddle solver must define each person's set of attributes, i.e., which person is assigned to the fish? This article explains how the riddle can be modelled using a spreadsheet formulation and solved using Excel Solver. The spreadsheet lends itself well to tracking the progress of a purely process-of-elimination approach. The format shown allows the attribute values to be arranged on the spreadsheet until the solution reveals itself. Solver spreadsheet zero-one modelling has potential in many applications.

Online publication date: Wed, 31-Jan-2007

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