Testing out another problem for my book. This is really just my trying to re-word a centuries old classic. So let me know if the wording is acceptable here:
On his twentieth year working for a pearl merchant Isaac was offered a reward. He was presented with three vases. He was told that each vase contains an equal number of pearls however the vases contain different types of pearls. One vase is labeled as containing white pearls, one vase is labeled as containing black pearls, and the remaining vase is labeled as contain an equal mixture of black and white pearls. The vases are opaque and have long throats the drawer has no way of seeing what the vases contain or the color of the pearl they have chosen until the pearl is removed from the vase.
The merchant tells Isaac that each vase is labeled inaccurately. The merchant suggests that they take turns drawing pearls from the vases in an effort to correctly re-label them.
As a reward for faithful service he tells Isaac that if he can identify how to correctly label each vase first – he can keep any pearls he has drawn. However if the merchant can correctly re-label the jars first Isaac has to return any pearls he has drawn.
The merchant offers Isaac the chance to draw first, should he accept?