Actually there is no rational solution to the problem as stated. Given that all we can be sure of is that there must be one blue hat amongst the three the only way to know that one's own hat is blue is to see that both the other two participants are wearing white hats. None of the three participants are in this position. One sees two blue hats, the other two see one blue hat plus whatever color hat the participant who sees the two blue hats sees. All see at least one blue hat.

It is immaterial as to whether the participant who announces his answer is wearing a blue or a white hat. It could be either, he can not know and is simply taking a 50:50 punt.

Consider the two possible hat colors for our punter. If it is blue then all the participants are in the same position. They all see two blue hats. There is no logical differentiation between any of them. If on the other hand our punter wears a white hat the views are W-B B-W B-B This is still not of any help at all. Only seeing W-W is conclusive.

cheers

tachyon

s&&rsenoyhcatreve&&&s&n.+t&"$'$`$\"$\&"&ee&&y&srve&&d&&print

In reply to Re: (OT) Meditate on this brain-teaser by tachyon
in thread (OT) Meditate on this brain-teaser by japhy

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