The riddle of the 3 hats... It's pretty long to type out, but it really had me fooled when I first heard it. Ok... here goes.
One day, a royal contest is held for the smartest person in all the land. After many rigorous tests, there are 3 men left who are tied for first place, but there can only be one winner. So the king sets up a final test for the three men. The three men are called to the king's chambers, where they are shown a box containing five hats: Three are white, and two are black. The king closes the box and says, "I am going to place these hats on your head, in such a way you cannot see the color of your own hat. Whichever man correctly guesses the color of his own hat wins." Glaring at them, he adds, "If anyone cheats, or offers an incorrect guess, he shall be put to death immediately."
The first man is ordered to stand facing a solid wall. The king places a hat on the first man's head, so that the ONLY thing he can see is the brick wall. Next, the king orders the second man to stand directly behind the first man and places a hat on his head. The second man can see the color of the first man's hat, but not his own. Finally, the third man must stand behind the second man, so that he can see the color of both the first and second man's hat, but not his own.
A long time passes, and the room is silent. The three men stand nervously but do not move a muscle; the king watches carefully. Finally, the first man calls out from near the wall: "Your Majesty, I have the answer. My hat is white." The king, overjoyed, declares this man the winner, and a huge celebration ensues!
The riddle is: How did the first man know what color his hat was? (There are no mirrors or cheating involved.)
If you have heard this riddle before and know the answer, please don't spoil it
Originally Posted by icygirl
The riddle of the 3 hats... It's pretty long to type out, but it really had me fooled when I first heard it. Ok... here goes.
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