We all love a riddle, until we can’t figure out the answer and it’s constantly on our minds. Sure, figuring them out quickly leaves you with a sense of pride, but when you can’t, you’re just annoyed and confused. That’s how plenty of people have felt about the two guards and two doors riddle. Luckily, we can put you out of your misery by explaining it and giving you the answer.
Riddles have been around much longer than the internet has, but that doesn’t make them any easier. Sure, you might be able to find the answer, but we all know that’s admitting defeat and we’re too stubborn for that. In fact, the internet only makes them spread a lot quicker, and it doesn’t take a lot for everyone to be stumped by the same one.
That’s exactly what has happened with the two guards riddle which has left people confused and in need of an answer.
The Two Guards And Two Doors Explained
If you haven’t heard it before but fancy a challenge, here is the riddle:
‘There are two guards and two doors. One door leads to freedom, the other to certain death, however, you don’t know which one is which. Both guards know, but one always lies and one always tells the truth. Unfortunately, you don’t know which of the guards are which, either.
You can only ask one question to one guard before deciding which door to go through.
What question do you ask, and to which guard?‘
To break it down, you must ask one guard one question that will tell you which door leads to freedom. Both the guards know which door leads to what, and they also know which one of them lies and tells the truth.
For the riddle, you must figure out what single question will tell you if the guard you ask is a liar or not, and what lies behind their door.
It seems like an impossible task, but it can be done.
The Answer To The Two Guards Riddle
Although the two guards riddle is definitely confusing, we can help you figure it out.
The trick is, to ask either guard: ‘What door the other guard will say leads to freedom?‘
Let’s explain.
If you ask the guard who lies, then they will tell you that the ‘certain death’ door is what the other guard would say. This is because he will lie about what the truthful guard would say. So, whatever door he says, you should go with the other one.
This is the same if you ask the one who tells the truth. That guard will truthfully tell you that the guard who lies would deceive you with the wrong door. In this case, you would go with the other door as well.
If you’re still a little confused, then we’ll try and explain it more simply. For this, the door leading to freedom is door 1 and the door to certain death is door 2.
When asking the question to the lying guard, he will tell you door 2.
When asking the question to the truthful guard, he will also tell you door 2.
You see, it doesn’t matter who you ask, as they’ll give you the same answer!