- The Roman army had a way to punish cowardice or mutiny among its soldiers. Every 10th soldier in the group of mutineers was selected by lot to be executed. This is where the word “ decimated” comes from. The punishment dates back to 370 A.D. 1000 mutineers were arranged in a circle and tied to posts. The soldier at post #1 was shot and then every other soldier around the circle was executed. One by one. The last one executed i s #999. #1000 soldier survives. The next living soldier is at post #2. He is executed and every other soldier around the circle again. The last living soldier is released to warn the other soldiers not to be cowards.
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- At what post should you stand in the circle of death in order to survive?
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- Let’s make the problem less violent and a lot easier. Put a classroom of kids in a circle sitting in their chairs facing the center of the circle. The chairs are numbered 1 through 30. The teacher gets behind chair #1 and asks that student to stand up behind the #1 chair. Now the teacher instructs every other student around the circle to stand. After once around the circle continue with every other student until only one remains seated. Which student remains seated in their chair?
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707-536-3272, Sunday, April 1, 2012
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