There was this wizard who caught 3 men {let's just say Mr.A, B and C}. The wizard wanted to kill all three of them, but they pleaded and so the wizard gave them a chance.
The wizard put the 3 men on flight of stairs, A first {A is on top of the flight of stairs} followed by B {B is in the middle} , and then C {C is at the base} , in alphabetical order. They were stationed in such a way that A can see B and C, and B can only see C, but can't see A, and C can see none.
They were then blindfolded, and on each of their head, he put a coloured cap, the colour of the cap can only either be black or white, however, there will be either 2 black 1 white, or 2 white and 1 black, either way the 3 men don't know, all that they know is that there will be either black or white cap on their head, and that there will be either 2 white or 2 black cap on the 3 of them, which one they don't know.
So the wizard want them to tell him what coloured hat is on their head within the next 5 seconds after he removed the blindfold. Any one who could answer correctly would save the life of all 3 men.
Then, the wizard removed the blindfold......
After 4 seconds, the one in the middle {B} answer the question, and it was correct, how did he do it?
The wizard gave them 5seconds, however, B only answered in the 4th second, which means that, the one on top of the stairs do not know the answer.
Being the one on top {A}, you are able too see all those below, {B and C} however, you still do not know the colour of your hat, this means that the colour of the hat of the man in the center and foot of the stairs {B and C} are different.
The man in the center {B}, must have thought of it and is very sure that the man in front of him had a hat of different colour, and since he could see the person in front, if the person in front had a white coloured hat, then his is black, or vice versa.
Originally posted by Lord Bryan
The wizard gave them 5seconds, however, B only answered in the 4th second, which means that, the one on top of the stairs do not know the answer.Being the one on top {A}, you are able too see all those below, {B and C} however, you still do not know the colour of your hat, this means that the colour of the hat of the man in the center and foot of the stairs {B and C} are different.
The man in the center {B}, must have thought of it and is very sure that the man in front of him had a hat of different colour, and since he could see the person in front, if the person in front had a white coloured hat, then his is black, or vice versa.
Originally posted by TOH
Google strikes again! w00t
Originally posted by Bloigen
http://www.mindbreakers.com/mb/wizard2.htm