There are four people on an airplane: The pilot, the President of the United States, the world’s smartest man, and a student from a local school.
Suddenly, an alarm sounds. The pilot runs into the passenger cabin and says:
“I don’t want to alarm you, but there’s a problem with the engine. We’re going down!”
Everyone prepares to evacuate, but there’s a problem. There are only three parachutes. One person will have to stay behind.
The President says, “I’m the President. My country needs me!” He grabs a parachute, straps it on, and jumps out.
The world’s smartest man says, “I’m the smartest man in the world. I must survive for the sake of my great inventions!” He grabs a bag from the same area, puts it on his back, and jumps out.
Now only the pilot and the student remain, and there appears to be just one parachute left.
“Well,” says the pilot, “you take it. I suppose the captain goes down with his ship.”
“Actually,” says the student, “there are two parachutes.”
The pilot looks confused. “How?”
“The world’s smartest man just jumped out with my school backpack.”
