The Proof · Question 17 of 26
Should you take the sure 2 dollars, or open a box?
At the fair there's a stall where you can walk away with 2 dollars, guaranteed. Or you can open a mystery box: one box in three has 10 dollars inside, and the other two are empty.
What earns a point in this world: Asks where a claim came from, or says “I'm not sure yet”.
Take the sure 2!
Reasons a child might give
- Two dollars I definitely have beats ten I probably don't.
- Two times out of three I walk away with nothing.
- I already know what I'm buying with 2 dollars.
Open the box!
Reasons a child might give
- Ten is five times two. That's worth a go.
- If I never take a chance, I stay where I am forever.
- Nothing bad happens if I lose — I'm just back where I started.
Debate this one against an opponent that argues back.
Your child picks a side. Quill takes the other and answers what they actually said, in words a seven-year-old can read. A room of 20 moves only for a reason — and the idea behind the story is named at the end, once the debate is over. Ages 5–12.
Start debating$2.90 for the first month, then $29.90/month. Cancel any time.