The Paradox of the Unexpected Hanging

A man is sentenced to death in a court of law. He pleas with the judge for leniency. The judge responds to his plea as follows: "Your crime is very grave but I am a fair man so I will give you a chance to regain your freedom. Today is Sunday. Executions, as you know, take place at dawn. If, by the time dawn has passed next Sunday, you have not been executed then I will pardon you and you will be set free." The man looks gloomily at him: "What chance have I got," he says to the judge "if you still have seven days in which to execute me?" The judge speaks: "I have not finished. Your chance is this: if you predict correctly the day on which you are going to be executed, then you will be a free man." The judge then orders the jailer to take the man to his cell.

 

 

(Click the poorly drawn gallows for part 2)