I would like to try more strict conditions for puzzle, which frodoskywalker solved so simply. Basically all the same, but only one type of questions is allowed.
- We have T Knights (truth-tellers), L Knaves (liars) and R Jokers (random-tellers). $T > 0$. We know all 3 numbers, but we do not know who is who.
- We can chose any two of them and ask the first about the second one "Is he a Knight?". We can repeat this questioning procedure any number of times.
- We need to find one Knight.
How must T, L and R be related to make the task possible to complete?
My analysis:
1. If $T+L \le R$ it is impossible. $T$ jokers can simulate Knights, $L$ Knaves and we would never be able to distinguish between them and find a real Knight.
2. If $T>R+L$ the task is possible. It is possible with $L = 0, T > R$ and we can treat Knaves as Jokers.
3. If $R=0, L = T$ then this is impossible.
Indeed, if you get an answer "Yes", then there is two possibilities: "Kni Kni" or "Kna Kna" (both Knights or both Knaves). If we get "No", then it is either "Kni Kna" or "Kna Kni". From this we can see that if we replace all Knights by Knaves and vice versa we will get exactly the same answers. So even if we are able to divide them all into two groups according to their type we will never know who is who.
4. If $R=0, L > T$ then it can be solved in exactly the same way as for $L=0, T > R$ case:
We need to exclude all pairs who answer "No" and create a chain of "Yes" longer then half of the not excluded people. Then the last in the chain will be a Knave. Just ask him about all the rest until you hear "No".
So the question is what happens when $R \neq 0$, $L>R-T$ and $L \ge T - R$. For example, when $L = 1, T = R = 10$.