Condorcet's Paradox

the Marquis de Condorcet

Vote 1st 2nd 3rd
Derek Dr. Pepper Coke Pepsi
Jac Coke Pepsi Dr. Pepper
Patrick Pepsi Dr. Pepper Coke

Let's say Derek, Jac, and Patrick are deciding on which drink they should buy. If the choice is between Dr. Pepper and Coke, they pick Dr. Pepper 2 to 1. If the choice is between Coke and Pepsi, they pick Coke 2 to 1.

So they like Dr. Pepper better than Coke and Coke better than Pepsi. Does it follow that they like Dr. Pepper better than Pepsi? No! They prefer Pepsi to Dr. Pepper 2 to 1!

This apparent paradox was first noted by the Marquis de Condorcet in the 18th century, and it is named the Condorcet Paradox in his honor.

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derek.bruff@vanderbilt.edu
Last Updated February 20, 2002