IF IN FACT there are two red beanies (i.e., the two I can see), neither of which
is on my head, then I will see "1 or more" red beanies and raise my hand; also,
each of the other two knights will see "1 or more" red beanies (but specifically,
the one on the other knight's head) based solely on the two beanies I do see, and
each of the other two knights will raise their hands.

IF IN FACT there are three read beanies (i.e., the two I can see plus the one I
cannot see on top of my head), then I will see "1 or more" as will each of the
other two knights, and again all three knights raise their hands.

Thus, there are either two or three red beanies.

I GUESS "red" as the color of my beanie since:

[1] I wish to demonstrate a willingness to take risk when the odds are even, a
skill required of all leaders and an aspect of "smartest";

[2] the King's tests carry an implication of fairness, and for only one of the
three knights to have a white beanie would be an "unfair" test for that one;

and (while last, certainly not least)

[3] I wish to acknowledge father-in-laws have a very weird sense of humor.

Michael

> On Mon, 21 Sep 1998, Keith Maxwell wrote:
>
> > Colleagues,
> >
> > I have used the following problem in my Legal Environment classes to
> > illustrate the difference between inductive and deductive reasoning. Can
> > you solve it?
> >
> > The king wanted his daughter to marry the smartest knight in the land. All
> > knights were tested and 3 tied with the highest score. The king then had
> > the 3 sit at a round table. He asked them all to close their eyes, which
> > they did. He then announced that he was placing a beanie on each of their
> > heads positioned in such a way that, when they opened their eyes, they each
> > could see the beanies on the others' heads but not their own. The king told
> > the knights that the beanies might be either red or white. The king said,
> > "When you open your eyes you are to raise your hand if you see either 1 or
> > more red beanies. When you deduce the color of the beanie on your own head,
> > then lower your hand and rise. Now open your eyes." The king had in fact
> > placed red beanies on all 3 knights' heads. All 3 raised their hands. In
> > about 10 seconds one of the knights lowered his hand, rose, and explained
> > his deduction that his beanie was red. What could he have said?
> >
> > >>>>>>>
> >
> > Just as I do in class, I will disclose my analysis of the problem on
> > condition that there are at least 6 serious attempts to solve it. I will
> > respond to each unsuccessful attempt with a critique which will contain a
> > clue.
> >
> > Any takers?
> >
> >
> >                 "It's impossible that everything
> >                   that is possible is happening"
> >                         - Richard Feynman
> > ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> > Professor Keith A. Maxwell            |
> > Legal and Ethical Studies|            |  Voice:         253 756 3703
> > School of Business                    |  Fax:           253 756 3500
> > University of Puget Sound             |  Internet:      [log in to unmask]
> >
> > Tacoma, WA 98416                      |
> >