Comments on: Hierarchy of Hungry Cannibals

By: Austin Frakt

Austin Frakt — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 17:34:18 +0000

@simone – Once cannibal 1 makes his decision about Meathead he has no further choices. Each cannibal makes one and only one decision to either (a) eat if given the opportunity or (b) not eat.

The game is linear, not a circular. Cannibal 1 may only choose whether or not to eat Meathead. Every other cannibal n makes a decision whether or not to eat cannibal n-1 if given the chance. Once every cannibal makes his decision the game is over, with possibly some eating and some not, some eaten and some not.

By: simone

simone — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 17:18:19 +0000

What confuses me is that if cannibal one declines to eat meatead and cannibal 2 does, that then cannibal 1 would be at highest hirarchy again and would have to redecide again, which kinda also muddles up the order meaning that number 1 could also survive.

my guts personally are shouting at me saying: if you’re so rational then why not share? but that’s i guess not possible since they all eat one.

other thought: if all cannibals refuse but cannibal 10 does cannibal 1 then decide again whether to eat cannibal 10?

By: Bob Harnsberger

Bob Harnsberger — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 21:49:34 +0000

Yes, forgot the rule that they will only eat if there is no risk. When I stated that eventually someone will eat, I was not following the game rules. Thanks.

By: TIE

TIE — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:04:25 +0000

@Bob Harnsberger – When a cannibal eats (whether Meathead or another cannibal) he eats the whole person. You’re right that if No. 1 eats then it will start a cascade of eating down to 10 who will live (since nobody can eat him). But that is not the way rational cannibals would act (other than no. 10).

It is not the case that all can eat and live. While it may be true that someone can eat one of the tasks is to find who, if any that is. Is it only one cannibal or more? Which if any die?

The order and rules are important. Cannibal n (other than n = 1) only has the option of eating n-1 if n-1 falls asleep (or can eat Meathead if given that option). Cannibal n has no other eating options. Also, cannibal n will only eat if he is not at risk of being eaten. He prefers to die by starvation than to die by being eaten.

If you would like a hint send me a message (see Contact on the nav bar at the top of the page).

By: Bob Harnsberger

Bob Harnsberger — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 18:24:12 +0000

Do we assume that one cannibal can eat an entire person by himself?

If so, then it would seem that if No. 1 eats, all will die except No. 10, who presumably would then eventually die of starvation. (although he would have about 1000 pounds of meat in his belly beforehand!)

If not, then all can eat, and the only risk is to Meathead.

Regardless of who it may be, eventually someone will eat, implying that in the long run all but one will be eaten. So it would seem that the smart strategy would be to be the last one left.. difficult since the individual cannot decide the order; it is up to the next-highest in hierarchy to decide that he will eat.

I guess the best strategy would be to leave the game by becoming a vegetarian! But that’s probably not the answer you’re looking for.