This is a question for my problem-solving class. I am reallystuck and I can't see much of a pattern so I would appreciate ifsomeone could draw out for each thief and explain the pattern toget the answer for 40 thieves!
Question:
Forty thieves, all different ages, steal a huge pile ofidentical gold coins and must decide how to divide them up. Theysettle on the following procedure. The youngest divides the coinsamong the thieves however he wishes, then all 40 thieves vote onwhether they are satisfied with the division. If at least half voteYES, the division is accepted. If a majority votes NO, the youngestis killed and the next youngest gets to try to divide the lootamong the remaining 39 thieves (including herself). Again they allvote, with the same penalty if the majority votes NO and so on.Each of the thieves is logical and always acts in her or his ownself-interest, ignoring the interest of the group, fairness, etc.Given all this, how should the youngest of the 40 thieves dividethe loot?
