Friday, October 05, 2007

Traveler's dilemma + prisoner dilemma

there is new version of this dilemma.

there are 2 people travel by plane. they are brought a same gift, let say, a vase. after get off the plane, they found that their vases were broken. so, they go to ask for money from the airline.

the manager told them, he will only give them a maximum price of 100 each, however, because he does not know what the exact price of the vase, and he don't want to be fool, so, they need to tell him the price of the vase individually.

he will pay the minimum price only. and the one who gave him the lowest price, he will give him 2 dollar more from the other.

if you are one of the traveler?? what is your price???

(think about it, at least for 5 seconds, please.)

(i hope you had thought for 5 seconds, otherwise, you should be shame for yourself. a little poor guy.)


by prisoner dilemma (if you reduced the maximum price from 100 to 3), the most "suitable" and "reasonable" price you should give is 2 dollars.

the "reason" is: OK, both of you can say 100. however, if you say 99, but the others still say 100. you will get 101 = min(99, 100) + 2. well, the other will also think of this! so he will say 98 and get 100 = min(99,98)+2...... thing will go on like this again and again. finally, we have to solve

min(x,y)+2, where x, y from 0 to 100 (i bet you won't say below 0, smart guy)
and than, you will get 2 dollars!!!

this is quite a ridiculous result from the very powerful Game theory!!! which a lot business idiot treat it as a bible!!!

something wrong with that!!!

if you are interesting in this topic: prisoner dilemma ; Traveler's dilemma ; Behavior in Traveler's dilemma ; Experts Playing the Traveler's dilemma

No comments: