To solve this problem, we need to find a way to narrow down the options by asking yes or no questions. Here's one possible approach to determine the element in three questions:
Question 1: Is the chosen element part of the United States?
- If the answer is "yes", it narrows down the possibilities to {Montana, Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Alaska}.
- If the answer is "no", it narrows down the possibilities to {British Columbia, Alberta}.
Question 2: Is the chosen element an island?
- If the answer is "yes", the only option left is Alaska.
- If the answer is "no" (assuming the answer to question 1 was "yes"), it narrows down the possibilities to {Montana, Washington, Idaho, Oregon}.
- If the answer is "no" (assuming the answer to question 1 was "no"), it narrows down the possibilities to {British Columbia, Alberta}.
Question 3: Does the chosen element begin with a vowel?
- If the answer is "yes" (assuming the previous answers lead to {Montana, Washington, Idaho, Oregon}), it narrows down the possibilities to {Idaho, Oregon}.
- If the answer is "no" (assuming the previous answers lead to {Montana, Washington, Idaho, Oregon}), it narrows down the possibilities to {Montana, Washington}.
By asking these three questions, we have determined the element.