Solve the problem.Three boxes are labeled "CDs," "DVDs," and "CDs & DVDs." Each label is wrong. Bey selecting just one item from just one box, how can you determine the correct labeling of the boxes?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Select an item from the box labeled "CDs & DVDs." Since the label is wrong, it must be either a box of CDs or a box of DVDs. First assume that the item you selected is a CD. This box is therefore a box of CDs and should be labeled "CDs." Since the box labeled "DVDs" is also labeled incorrectly, it must be either a box of CDs or a box of both CDs and DVDs. Since you have already identified the first box as a box of CDs, the second box must therefore be a box of CDs and DVDs and should be labeled "CDs & DVDs." Finally, the box incorrectly labeled "CDs" should have the remaining label, "DVDs." Now assume that the item you selected is a DVD. By similar reasoning, this box should be labeled "DVDs," the box incorrectly labeled "CDs" should be labeled "CDs & DVDs," and the box incorrectly labeled "DVDs" should be labeled "CDs."