Tuesday Puzzle

2/17/09, 3:32 PM #1

Dan Donaldson
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Registered: 9/17/01

Tuesday Puzzle

There are three logisticians that are shown a set of hats, 3 white, and two black. A hat is put onto each of them, but no one knows what color they are wearing. They are placed in a room where they can see each other and told that they have one minute to determine what color hat they are wearing. (They are not allowed to communicate with each other) If anyone correctly gets the color of his hat, they all win a prize, but if any guesses are made and are incorrect, they all lose. The clock ticks away, and just before the time is up, one of them makes a correct guess. The question is what color hat is he wearing, and how did he know? (both parts are necessary for a correct answer.

- - -

I have been woodworking for about 25 years now, and would consider myself an enthusiastic amateur. My claim to fame (or infamy) has always been fixing stuff. I spent time in the Air Force in the 60's then went to work as an electronic technician for civil service. I finally got my EE, and being fed up with the civil service nonsense, took a job with Ford Motor Company until I went with the split to Visteon last year. I got interested in music and started playing in a bluegrass band. I wanted a new guitar, and that kind of led me into woodworking. I bought some books, a few tools, and built a guitar. Luckily, I didn't know any better than to try that as a first ever project. I still play it when I get a chance, so it must not be too bad if it can live for over 20 years. After a stint in Mexico for my job, I moved into a new house and built a small shop. Since then I have been collecting tools and skills, probably more of the former than the latter ;-). Finding this site has done more for my skills and enjoyment than anything else. I have learned a lot and really enjoy the friendships that I have made here. I have been married to LOML (Lori) for 32 years now and have 6 kids. When they are all gone, I want to get a 1 bedroom house (so there is not room for them to move back in) and at least a 6 car heated/air conditioned garage for a shop. (Dream on...)

Re: Tuesday Puzzle

2/17/09, 4:00 PM #2

Alex Yeilding
Guest

Answer

is in my head, but I see no way to hide it.

I'll defer posting.

Re: Tuesday Puzzle

2/17/09, 4:08 PM #3

Thomas Skaggs
Guest

I Need More Information.....

....are we talking Fedoras or Bolers?

Re: Tuesday Puzzle

2/17/09, 4:43 PM #4

Lee Schierer - McKean, PA
Guest

Re: Tuesday Puzzle

It's not quite noon so the correct answer may get me tossed in the box. His guess is that he is wearing a white hat, since he could see that the other two gents were wearing black.

Lee

Re: Tuesday Puzzle

2/17/09, 5:31 PM #5

Dan Donaldson
Member
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5,264 posts

Registered: 9/17/01

Re: Tuesday Puzzle

The other two were not necessarily wearing black hats. There are three white and two black.

- - -

I have been woodworking for about 25 years now, and would consider myself an enthusiastic amateur. My claim to fame (or infamy) has always been fixing stuff. I spent time in the Air Force in the 60's then went to work as an electronic technician for civil service. I finally got my EE, and being fed up with the civil service nonsense, took a job with Ford Motor Company until I went with the split to Visteon last year. I got interested in music and started playing in a bluegrass band. I wanted a new guitar, and that kind of led me into woodworking. I bought some books, a few tools, and built a guitar. Luckily, I didn't know any better than to try that as a first ever project. I still play it when I get a chance, so it must not be too bad if it can live for over 20 years. After a stint in Mexico for my job, I moved into a new house and built a small shop. Since then I have been collecting tools and skills, probably more of the former than the latter ;-). Finding this site has done more for my skills and enjoyment than anything else. I have learned a lot and really enjoy the friendships that I have made here. I have been married to LOML (Lori) for 32 years now and have 6 kids. When they are all gone, I want to get a 1 bedroom house (so there is not room for them to move back in) and at least a 6 car heated/air conditioned garage for a shop. (Dream on...)

Re: Tuesday Puzzle

2/17/09, 5:32 PM #6

Dan Donaldson
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5,264 posts

Registered: 9/17/01

Custom WC hats ;-)

- - -

I have been woodworking for about 25 years now, and would consider myself an enthusiastic amateur. My claim to fame (or infamy) has always been fixing stuff. I spent time in the Air Force in the 60's then went to work as an electronic technician for civil service. I finally got my EE, and being fed up with the civil service nonsense, took a job with Ford Motor Company until I went with the split to Visteon last year. I got interested in music and started playing in a bluegrass band. I wanted a new guitar, and that kind of led me into woodworking. I bought some books, a few tools, and built a guitar. Luckily, I didn't know any better than to try that as a first ever project. I still play it when I get a chance, so it must not be too bad if it can live for over 20 years. After a stint in Mexico for my job, I moved into a new house and built a small shop. Since then I have been collecting tools and skills, probably more of the former than the latter ;-). Finding this site has done more for my skills and enjoyment than anything else. I have learned a lot and really enjoy the friendships that I have made here. I have been married to LOML (Lori) for 32 years now and have 6 kids. When they are all gone, I want to get a 1 bedroom house (so there is not room for them to move back in) and at least a 6 car heated/air conditioned garage for a shop. (Dream on...)

Re: Tuesday Puzzle

2/17/09, 5:51 PM #7

Alex Yeilding
Guest

Re: Tuesday Puzzle

you might have gotten put half-way in the box for that.

Re: Tuesday Puzzle

2/17/09, 6:23 PM #8

Alex Yeilding
Guest

Extra credit

Do I get extra credit for also knowing the colors of the hats of all three?

Re: Tuesday Puzzle

2/17/09, 6:34 PM #9

Bill Earl
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Registered: 6/17/05

Re: Tuesday Puzzle

White. If the answer is not obvious to anyone, then the anwer is obvious to someone.

(assuming all logicians are equally logical)

Re: Tuesday Puzzle

2/17/09, 7:30 PM #10

Dan Donaldson
Member
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5,264 posts

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Re: Extra credit

Sure, that adds a little bit more complexity.

- - -

I have been woodworking for about 25 years now, and would consider myself an enthusiastic amateur. My claim to fame (or infamy) has always been fixing stuff. I spent time in the Air Force in the 60's then went to work as an electronic technician for civil service. I finally got my EE, and being fed up with the civil service nonsense, took a job with Ford Motor Company until I went with the split to Visteon last year. I got interested in music and started playing in a bluegrass band. I wanted a new guitar, and that kind of led me into woodworking. I bought some books, a few tools, and built a guitar. Luckily, I didn't know any better than to try that as a first ever project. I still play it when I get a chance, so it must not be too bad if it can live for over 20 years. After a stint in Mexico for my job, I moved into a new house and built a small shop. Since then I have been collecting tools and skills, probably more of the former than the latter ;-). Finding this site has done more for my skills and enjoyment than anything else. I have learned a lot and really enjoy the friendships that I have made here. I have been married to LOML (Lori) for 32 years now and have 6 kids. When they are all gone, I want to get a 1 bedroom house (so there is not room for them to move back in) and at least a 6 car heated/air conditioned garage for a shop. (Dream on...)

Re: Tuesday Puzzle

2/17/09, 8:23 PM #11

Alex Yeilding
Guest

Re: Extra credit

Well, you supplied information that allows that, and is extraneous for the question you asked, at least if I'm thinking of this right.

Re: Tuesday Puzzle

2/17/09, 9:51 PM #12

Dan Donaldson
Member
Offline
5,264 posts

Registered: 9/17/01

Re: Extra credit

True, it is not necessary to answer the original question.

- - -

I have been woodworking for about 25 years now, and would consider myself an enthusiastic amateur. My claim to fame (or infamy) has always been fixing stuff. I spent time in the Air Force in the 60's then went to work as an electronic technician for civil service. I finally got my EE, and being fed up with the civil service nonsense, took a job with Ford Motor Company until I went with the split to Visteon last year. I got interested in music and started playing in a bluegrass band. I wanted a new guitar, and that kind of led me into woodworking. I bought some books, a few tools, and built a guitar. Luckily, I didn't know any better than to try that as a first ever project. I still play it when I get a chance, so it must not be too bad if it can live for over 20 years. After a stint in Mexico for my job, I moved into a new house and built a small shop. Since then I have been collecting tools and skills, probably more of the former than the latter ;-). Finding this site has done more for my skills and enjoyment than anything else. I have learned a lot and really enjoy the friendships that I have made here. I have been married to LOML (Lori) for 32 years now and have 6 kids. When they are all gone, I want to get a 1 bedroom house (so there is not room for them to move back in) and at least a 6 car heated/air conditioned garage for a shop. (Dream on...)

Re: Tuesday Puzzle

2/18/09, 2:01 AM #13

Dan Donaldson
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5,264 posts

Registered: 9/17/01

OK

Time for one of you to post the solution. Looks like several have it. ;-)

- - -

I have been woodworking for about 25 years now, and would consider myself an enthusiastic amateur. My claim to fame (or infamy) has always been fixing stuff. I spent time in the Air Force in the 60's then went to work as an electronic technician for civil service. I finally got my EE, and being fed up with the civil service nonsense, took a job with Ford Motor Company until I went with the split to Visteon last year. I got interested in music and started playing in a bluegrass band. I wanted a new guitar, and that kind of led me into woodworking. I bought some books, a few tools, and built a guitar. Luckily, I didn't know any better than to try that as a first ever project. I still play it when I get a chance, so it must not be too bad if it can live for over 20 years. After a stint in Mexico for my job, I moved into a new house and built a small shop. Since then I have been collecting tools and skills, probably more of the former than the latter ;-). Finding this site has done more for my skills and enjoyment than anything else. I have learned a lot and really enjoy the friendships that I have made here. I have been married to LOML (Lori) for 32 years now and have 6 kids. When they are all gone, I want to get a 1 bedroom house (so there is not room for them to move back in) and at least a 6 car heated/air conditioned garage for a shop. (Dream on...)

Re: Tuesday Puzzle

2/18/09, 2:34 AM #14

Bill Earl
Member
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948 posts

Registered: 6/17/05

Re: OK

Lee called the first case. Any logician would know immediately that if he saw two black hats, his must be white.

But if a logician sees only one black hat, and none of his logical colleagues has an immediate answer, then his hat must not be black. (because then someone would see two and call it)

And if he sees no black hats, and nobody has an answer after a suitible number of brain-cycles have elapsed, then none of his colleagues must have seen any black hats either. So his must be white too.

Re: Tuesday Puzzle

2/18/09, 3:38 AM #15

Dan Donaldson
Member
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5,264 posts

Registered: 9/17/01

;-)

- - -

I have been woodworking for about 25 years now, and would consider myself an enthusiastic amateur. My claim to fame (or infamy) has always been fixing stuff. I spent time in the Air Force in the 60's then went to work as an electronic technician for civil service. I finally got my EE, and being fed up with the civil service nonsense, took a job with Ford Motor Company until I went with the split to Visteon last year. I got interested in music and started playing in a bluegrass band. I wanted a new guitar, and that kind of led me into woodworking. I bought some books, a few tools, and built a guitar. Luckily, I didn't know any better than to try that as a first ever project. I still play it when I get a chance, so it must not be too bad if it can live for over 20 years. After a stint in Mexico for my job, I moved into a new house and built a small shop. Since then I have been collecting tools and skills, probably more of the former than the latter ;-). Finding this site has done more for my skills and enjoyment than anything else. I have learned a lot and really enjoy the friendships that I have made here. I have been married to LOML (Lori) for 32 years now and have 6 kids. When they are all gone, I want to get a 1 bedroom house (so there is not room for them to move back in) and at least a 6 car heated/air conditioned garage for a shop. (Dream on...)

Re: Tuesday Puzzle

2/18/09, 4:47 AM #16

Alex Yeilding
Guest

Re: OK

And since Dan specified that the answer was given as the deadline expired, we can infer that the third case was what happened, so all three hats were white.

Tuesday Puzzle

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