Fox In A Hole

[McMouse]

Consider five holes in a line. One of them is occupied by a fox. Each night, the fox moves to a neighboring hole, either to the left or to the right. Each morning, you get to inspect a hole of your choice. What strategy would ensure that the fox is eventually caught?

[stewey]

Always inspect the same hole.

[McMouse]

Doesn't work stewey as fox may not go to that hole.

[Psybbo]

Fill in each inspected hole?

[McMouse]

Rules are for 5 holes in line sibton.

[shooty]

start at the extreme left or right and work one hole at a time in the oposite direction. You may get lucky early on. but a maximum of 5 attempts would guarantee capture.

[dickythecook]

Block up all the holes and let someone else worry about fox.
.
Sibs, how many avatars are you having today?

[Psybbo]

Playing with a site given to Jem by D97x7, dicky in CB

[Cruciformist]

Look at the hole with the feathers outside!

[dr b]

the sequence 2, 2, 3, 4, 4, 3, 2 will get the fox in 7 or fewer moves.

1) look in 2. In not there he's in 1, 3, 4 or 5
2) fox moves to 2, 3, 4 or 5. look in 2. If not there he's in 3, 4 or 5
3) fox moves to 2, 3, 4 or 5. look in 3. If not there he's in 2, 4 or 5
4) fox moves to 1, 3, 4 or 5. look in 4. If not there he's in 1, 3 or 5
5) fox moves to 2 or 4. look in 4. If not there he's in 2.
6) fox moves to 1 or 3. look in 3. If not there he's in 1.
7) fox must move to 2. look in 2. there he is!!!

[McMouse]

Number the holes 1 to 5. Inspecting the holes in any of the following sequences suffices:

2, 3, 4, 2, 3, 4
2, 3, 4, 4, 3, 2
4, 3, 2, 2, 3, 4
4, 3, 2, 4, 3, 2

[mallyh]

oh my brain hurts now trying to follow that lol