Multiple choice general knowledge math & puzzles

On an early morning, three rivals get together on an open spot in a dark wood to compose a quarrel by means of guns. A kind of duel, but with three persons: A, B and C. The rules of the game are: They draw lots who may fire first, second and third. Next, they will continue firing at each other in this order until only a single person is alive. Every person decides himself at which person he fires. Everyone knows that A hits (kills) in 100% of all shots, B hits (kills) in 80% of all shots and C hits (kills) in 50% of all shots. Each person chooses his ideal strategy. No one is killed by a stray bullet. The Question: Who has the largest chance of surviving the truel, and how big is this chance?

  1. A, > 80%

  2. B, > 50%

  3. C, > 50%

  4. A, > 50%

  5. B, > 30%
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

In this truel, C has the lowest accuracy (50%) but the optimal strategy: firing into the air on his first turn. This forces the deadlier A (100%) and B (80%) to target each other first. Once one is eliminated, C gets the first shot at the survivor, giving him a survival probability of over 50%.

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