Three truth-telling villagers—X, Y, and Z—each make a single statement about their ages. X says: 'I am older than Y.' Y says: 'Z is older than X.' Z says: 'I am the oldest.' From oldest to youngest, what is the order of the three villagers?
Z, X, Y
From Y's statement, Z > X. From X's statement, X > Y. Combining these yields Z > X > Y, which is fully consistent with Z's statement that Z is the oldest.
About this riddle
Logic riddles give you a few facts and ask what must be true. List what you know, cross out what cannot be, and see what is left.
Difficulty: Hard. More like this: Logic riddles with answers or try Einstein's Logic Grid for a different kind of puzzle.
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