[finally17]

REPOST SORRY FOR WASTING YOUR TIME. PLEASE CARRY ON


So, I've been bored this morning, and was spending some time around here, a place I don't normally come...

Noticed the puzzles on the first couple of pages, and thought I'd post one that I enjoy. Apologies if it's already around, somewhere beyond the first couple of pages of threads.

Again, we have a bunch of prisoners, say 10 this time. One day they are brought together and told that tomorrow they would each be given a hat the color of which they can not see, and then put in a queue.

Starting from the back, they'll have the opportunity to guess the color hat they are wearing. Each person who guesses correctly will be set free. Each person who guesses incorrectly will not be. Each prisoner can see all the hats worn by prisoners in front of him in the queue, but can not see their own hat obviously, nor any hats worn by those behind them. Also, each prisoner will be able to hear previous guesses.

The night before, they are given the opportunity to strategize. Develop a strategy to maximize the # who will be set free. What is that maximum?

[Apollo81]

Hasnt this already been posted? How many hat colors are there?

[finally17]

Apollo81, on Dec 5 2007, 12:58 PM, said:

Hasnt this already been posted?  How many hat colors are there?

WHOA. there are 2....black or white...stupid thing to omit


as for whether or not it's been posted, i did say i'm not sure, and apologized if it was...but it's definitely not in the first 5 or so pages of threads.

Apparently it's about 5 pages back, the dwarves thread...sorry for wasting your time...


I have some more I like. I'll look a few more pages back before I post another.

[Trumpace]

finally17, on Dec 5 2007, 01:13 PM, said:

...sorry for wasting your time...


I have some more I like. I'll look a few more pages back before I post another.

Don't worry, not a waste of time (for me atleast)

Try using the search function of this forum instead of looking page by page, though.

[finally17]

Trumpace, on Dec 5 2007, 01:32 PM, said:

Try using the search function of this forum instead of looking page by page, though.

Yeah, I know the search exists. And it might have worked. But the only real key word was "hat" and my first thought was that "hat" might have too many hits. Since this wouldn't necessarily work, I figured a quick scan of the most recent pages would suffice.

I just didn't scan far enough.

And apparently "hat" is too short anyway. But "hats" returns the original posting...oh well.