Ten red socks and ten blue socks are all mixed up in a dresser drawer. The 20 socks are exactly alike except for their color. The room is in pitch darkness and you want two matching socks. What is the smallest number of socks you must take out of the drawer in order to be certain that you have a pair that match?
Clarification: A matching pair means socks of same color, they are exactly the same, so Left and Right are the same!
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Why two socks won't work?
With two socks, it is possible to have one red and one blue.
Why three socks work?
With three socks, there is always a matching pair since either you will have chosen three of the same color, or a matching pair and an odd one out.