SCHRODINGER'S CAT PUZZLES I

Physicist Edwin Schrodinger devised a thought experiment in quantum mechanics in 1935 that has become a classic example of a question that can have two different answers - both correct. In the experiment, a (theoretical) cat is placed in a box with a sealed vial of lethal poison, which the cat could break open if it tried. Until the box is opened and the cat observed, there is no way of knowing if the cat is alive or dead. So, until observed, the cat is both alive and dead at the same time. (The idea that a system can exist in multiple states simultaneously highlights a paradox in quantum mechanics.)

In crossword puzzles and wordplay, clues that can be correctly answered in two ways are called Schrodingers. The two answers differ by a single letter. The most famous Schrodinger crossword ever appeared in the New York Times on election day - November 5, 1996. Clue 39 Across read, "The headline of tomorrow's newspaper(!), with 43 Across." The answer had to be either CLINTON ELECTED or BOB DOLE ELECTED, but the puzzle was set up so that either answer would fit. Editor Will Shortz received a firestorm of complaints from readers who thought the clues were unfair - since they assumed there could only be one answer and no one could know which it would be. Only on seeing the solution the next day did the Schrodinger clues become clear. They were:

Black Halloween animal              CAT or BAT

French 101 word                          LUI or OUI

Provider of support, for short       IRA or BRA

Sewing shop purchase                  YARN or YARD 

Short writings                               BITS or BIOS 

Trumpet                                        BOAST or BLAST

Much-debated political inits.        NRA OR ERA 

 

The constructor of this celebrated puzzle: Jerry Farrell

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The Schrodinger clues below have two correct answers - differing by a single letter.

 

1. Medical chart info

2. Nasal sound

3. Cherry _____

4. Exercises outdoors

5. Noted name in literature

6. Word with sugar 

 

Answers:

 

1. Height, Weight

2. Snore, Snort

3. Pie, Pit

4. Bikes, Hikes

5. Emile, Emily

6. Cane, Cone

 

Credit:
1-6: David J. Kahn  

        NY Times Crossword

        May 5, 1996