TED-Ed: Can you solve the cheating royal riddle? | Dan Katz

In a competition devised by an eccentric King to choose his successor, contestants roll two dice 20 times to achieve the highest score. The advisor must disqualify any contestant suspected of cheating. Bertram's score of 840 is impossible, Cassandra's 700 is highly improbable, and Draco's 423 is mathematically impossible due to number theory. Alexa's score of 385 is valid, making her the new heir.

What qualities does the King desire in his successor?

• Strength, wisdom, and honesty

• Arithmetic skills, luck, and honesty

• Bravery, intelligence, and kindness

• Wealth, power, and charm

What is the maximum possible score a contestant can achieve?

• 800

• 750

• 700

• 850

Why is Bertram's score of 840 impossible?

• He used a different set of dice

• He added incorrectly

• The maximum possible score is 700

• He rolled more than 20 times

What makes Cassandra's score of 700 highly improbable?

• She rolled the highest numbers all 40 times

• She used a different set of dice

• She rolled the lowest numbers

• She added incorrectly

What mathematical concept is used to analyze Draco's score?

• Number theory

• Algebra

• Probability theory

• Geometry

Why is Draco's score of 423 impossible?

• He used a different set of dice

• It is not a multiple of 5

• It is too high

• It is too low

Who is declared the worthiest successor?

• Bertram

• Cassandra

• Alexa

• Draco