3 More Paradoxes

Last month’s paradox post was very popular, so here’s another.

These are a blast to share with kids. Use them to help students think through a complex problem, finding all possibilities. Work on the ability to articulate thinking. And, naturally, have them find and create their own.

Pinocchio’s Nose

Pinocchio says, “My nose will now grow.” What will happen?

Zeno’s Paradox of the Course

In order to arrive at a location, you must first get halfway there. To go a mile, you must first go 0.5 mi, but to go 0.5 mi you must go 0.25 mi, but to do that, first you must reach 0.125 mi, etc.

Since you’ll always have half of a distance left, you’ll never actually reach your location.

The Crocodile’s Paradox

There is a crocodile, a child, and a father. The crocodile has stolen the child. He promises the father that he will return the child if the father is able to predict whether or not the crocodile will return the child.

The paradox arises if the father correctly predicts that the crocodile with keep the child. If the crocodile returns the child, as promised, he is violating the correct prediction.

Discovered on Wikipedia.

Have any favorites? Share with me at ian@byrdseed or @ianabyrd.