Snail Race, Part 2 (December 2023 Challenge Question)

Here's a first stab at it. If you put 5 in a race, the 2 slowest ones cannot be one of the fastest 3.

First 5 races, eliminate bottom 2 from each, 10 in all, leaving 15.

Race remaining 15 (3 races) eliminating slowest 2 in each race, leaving 9 potential winners.

Pick 5 of the 9, race them, eliminate slowest 2, leaving 7.

Pick 5 of the 7, race them, eliminate slowest 2, leaving 5.

Race final 5, top 3 are the winners.

Total of 11 races.

The statement "But the timer doesn't have enough digits to show the elapsed time of the snails" seems to be saying that there is no way to declare the winner of a race. If my observation is correct, then there is no answer. There can be no competition without better timer equipment, a shorter track, or the ability to have human observation declare race winners.

I'm thinking it means that you cannot just run the snails 5 at a time and record the times for each. That would only require 5 races and a sorting algorithm.

Very clever. I followed you until "also clear that L is out". Please elaborate...

K is the third fastest of AF and K, and L is slower than K (from the third race).

Thanks, obvious, now.

GA

Each race, eliminate slowest 2.

#1 A B C D E

#2 F G H I J

#3 K L M N O

#4 P Q R S T

#5 U V W X Y

#6 A F K P U

If P and U are eliminated (race#6), so are Q, R (beaten by P, race#4) and V, W (beaten by U, race#5). K is, at best, in 3rd place (race#6), so eliminate L and M (race#3).

Last race (#7), K versus B, C, G, and H, winner is third place.

Last race (#7), K versus B, C, G, and H, winner is third place.

No the Last race has to be

Last race (#7), K versus B, C, G, and F. First and second are second and third fastest.

(A is the fastest: If F and G are next then H is not a contender, but, A/B/C is still a possibility.)

You are correct. Thanks.

This was an interesting puzzle

Red = eliminated snails, Races # 1 - 6

Race #7 K F G B C

Winners are either ABC or AFK

Or ABF or ABG

Good answer

possible finishes

A B C

A B F

A F B

A F G

A F K

B and C could still be faster than F. You need one more race.

edit

I should have read the other answers before replying

There is a fault in your logic. What if just by chance ABC in the same heat are the three fastest overall?

The correct answer is at most eight heats can pick the three fastest.

Beautiful.

Not only did you name the snails, you determine which 3 are fastest in minimum number of races (7).

Who's a good boy??

We will literally crush the competition...!!

Excellent...

Is drafting allowed,with more than one snail per track?

Is passing or over running over a slower snail on same track permitted?

How about bumping another snail off the track?

Must each snail stay in one track only?

Is a snail allowed to modify his slime for lower viscosity and friction to gain an edge over the competition?

Are snails allowed to lower their shells for better ground effect?

Are all snails tested for drugs?

Can their shells be polished for less wind resistance and higher speed?

Are slugs allowed to enter this race?

What if a slug identifies himself/herself/itself as a snail?

Assume nothing.Verify everything.

Very punny! Thanks for the effort. GA.

A snail is mugged by 2 slugs.The cops asked if he could identify the slugs."No",the snail replied,"It all happened so fast."