Based on the rules, this is going to be a multi-linear game, as there are four witnesses (f, g, h, and i) as well as three investigators (Q, R, and S). Note that I made the witnesses lowercase and the investigators uppercase. This is purely to be able to distinguish the two types of variables at a glance while looking at the board.
We know that all witnesses are interviewed and that each investigator interviews at least one person.
Our blank board should look like this:
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1 2 3 4
The first rule says that g and h have the same investigator.
1) x x g h
The second rule says that g and i can't be next to each other.
2) /gi (I would put g and i in a box with a switch on top and put a slash through the box; this is a bit hard to diagram through text)
The third rule states that Q and f must be together.
3) Q f
The third rule is important because it means that Q cannot go with g and h since Q, R, and S must all be used at least once. Now we know that g and h are with either R or S
The fourth rule says that R must do the third interview
4) R-3
_ _ R _ _ _ _ _
Since Q is with f and we know that g and h are with either R or S, that means that i is with whatever g and h aren't (so i is with S or R, respectively). This allows us to make three game boards from which we can solve the problems. The three game boards we make will start with putting either g, h, or i under R in the third slot.
_ _ R _ _ _ i _
_ _ R _ _ _ g _
_ _ R _ _ _ h _
Let's start filling out the top one first. We know g and i can't go together, so that means g is in the first slot. We also know that g and h will be with S since i is with R. then, h and S and Q and f will switch between the second and fourth slots
S Q R S g f i h
or
S S R Q g h i f
For the second game board, we have know that i must go in the first slot and that g and h will be with R since g is in the third slot. Q with f and R with h will get to switch between the second and fourth slots
S Q R R i f g h
or
S R R Q i h g f
The third game board is pretty open, and it doesn't allow us to make many inferences. That said. We know Q with f can't go in the fourth slot because that would make g and h go next to each other. We also know g is with R since we are putting h with R in the third slot. Lastly, we know that S is with i since Q and R have been used up.
_ _ R _ _ _ h _
keep in mind Q with f can't go in the fourth slot, g is with R, and S is with i
With this breakdown, you should be able to answer the questions with confidence.
Does this help? Let us know if you have more questions!
Thaliaon September 23, 2020
@Ravi your breakdown does not include choice C (the correct answer for question 1). Should this be in the second game board?
Thaliaon September 23, 2020
Also, can't the third game board be broken down to:
Q R R S
f g h i
(g/i at 2&4 since h occupies slot 3)
and
R Q R S
g f h i
(g/i at 1&4 since h occupies slot 3)
Thaliaon September 23, 2020
Correction on my first post here:
@Ravi your breakdown does not include choice *E* (the correct answer for question 1). Should this be in the second game board?
