Envelope Paradox: A simple solution?

[Syntax Egon]

Re: Envelope Paradox: A simple solution?

what if the money they picked was solid gold? then all you would have to do is look at or feel which envelope has more money thats how i slove this paradox.

You, sir, win the Intelligent Poster of the Year of 2006 Award. To claim your reward, please pose with this piece of Uranium at groin level.

[Iwhaiwnfi]

Re: Envelope Paradox: A simple solution?

..I really don't understand how this is confusing, or much less, a paradox.

If you had picked envelope B, you would have come to exactly the same conclusion. So if the above argument is valid, you should switch no matter which envelope you choose. But that can't be right.

Why not?

Say one envelope had 100, and the other had 50. Two situations:

1. You pick the one with 100 dollars. You immediately think that there are two possibilities. One envelope had 100, the other had 200, OR one had 100, and the other 50.

2. You pick the one with 50 dollars. You immediately think one had 100, and the other 50, OR one had 50, the other had 25.

The fact that you don't know the value of the envelopes allows different conclusions without it being a paradox.

[-Izzy-]

Re: Envelope Paradox: A simple solution?

Since you stand to win more than you stand to lose, you should switch.

Why?