A Minute's Time

Puzzler time.

Years ago I was at Boston Logan International Airport.

And while I was there, I happened to see in the crowd an old college chum, and I can't remember his name.

As I'm struggling to find his name in my mind, he disappears into the crowd.

I'm thinking I would like to get reacquainted with him. He was a pretty nice guy, this guy.

All I can remember is that he lived in the Midwest someplace.

So I run to one of the monitors hanging from the ceiling, and I see there are like 11 flights going to various destinations in the Midwest. You know, like Worcester, St Louis, Muncie, Indiana, Racine, Wisconsin, etc, etc. And because I can't remember his name, it's hopeless.

So I have to think of another way to find him.

So, in a minute's time, I come up with a plan, and in two minutes I find him.

How did I do it?

Good luck.

Answer the Puzzler »

Remember last week's puzzler?

3 in 5

Here you go.

My friend says to me, "I just read that 3 of the first 5 presidents of the United States died on the Fourth of July. What do you think the odds of that happening are?"

I reply, "I have no idea, but I'll give you 10 to 1 odds that I can name at least one of the three."

Then he says, "I don't know anything about the first five presidents, except that their names are Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison and Monroe."

The puzzler question is this.

How am I justified in offering my friend 10 to 1 odds, when guessing randomly, I have only a 3 and 5 chance?