1. 1,23456789101112 134567891011122

2. Teacher 13 seems to be missing… If we put it like this: R1: T1,T2 R2:T3 R3:T4 R4:T5 R5:T6 R6:T7 R7:T8 R8:T9 R9:T10 R10:T11 R11:T12

3. And then… R1:T1 R2:T3 R3:T4 R4:T5 R5:T6 R6:T7 R7:T8 R8:T9 R9:T10 R10:T11 R11:T12 R12:T2

4. The point is that the people who designed the paradox made clever use of the word ‘extra’, fooling people into thinking that the ‘extra teacher’ is actually teacher 13, when it is teacher 2! So in other words, Teacher 13 IS actually Teacher 2! The examples before are proof enough: the extra teacher that was escorted to room 12, is actually teacher 2, and NOT teacher 13, as we would have probably all thought. Therefore, Teacher 2 is 13, so… Lets examine the sentences of the question. QUESTION 3 OF P5GEMATH WIKISPACES Thirteen teachers are in Paradox, New York attending a math conference. When they arrive at the Enigma Hotel to check in, they are told that only 12 rooms are available. Since their school had made reservations for 13 rooms, the teachers are a bit upset that they will have to find another place to stay. As they are preparing to leave and find another hotel, the manager comes out and asks if there is a problem. When she hears of their situation she assures them that the Enigma Hotel has enough space to accommodate each teacher in his or her own room. She takes two of the teachers to room #1 and promises to come back in a few minutes and take one of them to another room. She takes the third teacher to room #2, the fourth teacher to room #3, the fifth teacher to room #4 and so on, taking the twelfth teacher to room #11. She then returns to room #1 and escorts the extra teacher waiting there to room #12. All of the teachers are now happily settled in their own rooms. Is this possible? Why or why not?

5. Sentence 1: Thirteen teachers are in Paradox, New York attending a math conference Nothing much of interest except for the 13 teachers. Sentence 2: When they arrive at the Enigma Hotel to check in, they are told that only 12 rooms are available. Shows that there’s only 12 rooms and so 13 teachers had to cram into 12 rooms. Sentence 3: Since their school had made reservations for 13 rooms, the teachers are a bit upset that they will have to find another place to stay Means that they have to leave. Nothing much of interest. Sentence 4: As they are preparing to leave and find another hotel, the manager comes out and asks if there is a problem. Nothing much of interest.

6. Sentence 5: When she hears of their situation she assures them that the Enigma Hotel has enough space to accommodate each teacher in his or her own room. Now we’re talkin’! The manager seems to have gone cuckoo by saying that 12 rooms can accommodate 13 people! Sentence 6: She takes two of the teachers to room #1 and promises to come back in a few minutes and take one of them to another room This is where the drama began. Teacher 1 and 2 are now in room 1. Sentence 7: She takes the third teacher to room #2, the fourth teacher to room #3, the fifth teacher to room #4 and so on, taking the twelfth teacher to room #11. She then returns to room #1 and escorts the extra teacher waiting there to room #12. This is where the drama really is. Since the 12th teacher is in room 11, you might expect teacher 13 to be in Room 12. So you make the assumption that the extra teacher is teacher 13, but when we check the above, we realise that it is teachers 1 and 2 in room 1! So teacher 2 was being escorted and NOT teacher 13! So teacher 2 will be staying in room 12. That is not done yet. People will question: “What about teacher 13?” In reality, folks, teacher 13, believe it or not, doesn’t exist! Why? Because he IS teacher 2! So… that’s where your assumption overrides your memory and tells you that the one now in room 12 is teacher 13!!!

7. Sentence 8: All of the teachers are now happily settled in their own rooms. LOL. So therefore, with this powerpoint, I say… this question is. ……………………………… ……………. ………………………………….. …………………………………………..

8. IMPOSSIBLE!

9. Credits: 1. The people who made the paradox 2. Zheng Chen for putting up the question 3. Me, for making this powerpoint 4. Last but not least, YOU, for reading it!

10. The end.