Unexpected Hanging Quiz Puzzle Answer


This is a longstanding puzzle, first published in 1963 - we hope that you enjoy it.

A prisoner is sentenced to death by hanging, and to make the punishment more severe the hanging will be a surprise. The judge announces that the prisoner is to be hanged at noon on a weekday next week, and the prisoner will not know if he is to be executed that day until there is a knock on the cell door at midday, summoning him to the gallows.

The prisoner is delighted at this, reasoning as follows:

I can't be executed on a Friday, as if there has been no knock on the door by noon on Thursday the execution will not be a surprise.

Similarly I can't be executed on Thursday for the same reasons, as I know I can't be executed on Friday.

And by extension I can't be hanged on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday either, so I'm free.

Then on Wednesday there is a knock on his door, which was a complete surprise to him, and he was hanged.

So where is the flaw in his reasoning?

Unfortunately there is no agreement on a solution to this - search for Unexpected Hanging Paradox for more information.

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