Question

The Chief Minister decided to dismiss one of his ministers. He called the minister and gave him two slips. One of the slips had the word 'go' and the other 'continue'. The fate of the minister depends upon the slip he draws. The minister knew that the word 'go' appears on both the slips. Explain how does he get to keep his position.

Hint:

In puzzles or tricky situations, think about the indirect actions people might take to manipulate outcomes in their favor.

Answer 1

Step 1: Analyzing the situation.
The minister realizes that the word 'go' appears on both slips. If he draws the 'go' slip, he would be dismissed. However, if he draws the 'continue' slip, he would be saved. To ensure he remains in his position, the minister could secretly swap the slips, ensuring that he draws the 'continue' slip.
Step 2: Explanation.
The minister could argue that he drew the slip with 'go' and return it to the Chief Minister, but the Chief Minister would be forced to keep him in the position, as he cannot prove that the slip was not 'continue.'
Step 3: Conclusion.
The minister uses his wits to draw the 'continue' slip and keep his position.