I do not understand one thing. In the task said that “inspector … took out from the table's pocket the LAST of the pocketed balls”. And about test 3-1-2 in the hint said that “Chichikov could pocket the balls in any order excepting the right one 1-2-3”. But how can we get the 1-3-2? Only if Chichikov pocketed balls 1, 3 and inspector took BOTH  bolls (in one moment) and then took the last ball - 2. What’s wrong?

Inspector doesn't come only once, he comes several times
So in 1-3-2 the inspector came after Chichikov pocketed 1 ball, and then came again after Chichikov pocketed third ball.
So first inspector took 1 ball out, then 3 ball, and then 2 :)

Edited by author 13.05.2009 23:27