2009 Advent Calendar Quiz - Day 11

Hi All,

Hopefully you enjoyed the Google test last night! In the end, Rob submitted an entry that was both topical and exceedingly close (5440) to the 5420 value being aimed for. See attached for the winning search string. With this win, Rob clearly vaults into the lead, so it is time for everyone else to step up!

So, for some reason, I am reminded of th

e following video today: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3VJgkL

SFws

Kidding!

But as I will be celebrating the anniversary of my arrival into this world, I will officially abstain from thinking this afternoon and evening. See the way I see, you all can think on my behalf by tinkering with the puzzle below…… enjoy. While amusing, it is sadly not as tough as the Vernistanian question thrown out on the 11th of last year ;)

By the way, if anyone in Van i

s up for a drink, send me a txt as I will be having a couple post Christmas party drinks in town.

Lastly, answers and the winner for Q#9 will be coming shortly .......

--------------------------------- Question #11 -----------------------

The image attached shows four prisoners stuck in body-sized pylons, each wearing g a hat. Let’s call them A, B, C, and D. Each man is functionally paralyzed by the pylons so they cannot turn their heads or otherwise move their bodies. Between A and B is a wall that none of the men can see through, around, or over. Each is wearing a black or white hat, but none of them know the colour of their hat. They do know, however, that there are four of them and that two are wearing white hats and two are wearing black hats. They are also aware that they are separated by the wall in the way pictured below. All men are hooked to an electric grid and the warden is making his way from the local pub to throw the switch and “toast” the group upon arrival. The warden, being a passionate sort, has said the following: “if any one of you can correctly yell out the colour of your hat with 100% certainty, I will free you all”. “If you get it wrong, however, you will all perish”.

The prisoners are not permitted to talk to one another and no other form of communication is allowed. They have 5 minutes to figure it out. After two minutes, one of the prisoners correctly calls out the colour of his hat and saves the group.

Which one saved the day, and how did he do it?