Maya, Liam, and Noah sit in a straight single-file line facing forward. Maya is in the back and sees both Liam and Noah. Liam is in the middle and sees only Noah. Noah is in front and sees no one. They are shown 3 red hats and 2 blue hats, then blindfolded while one hat is placed on each person's head. When blindfolds are removed, Maya says, 'I do not know my hat color.' Liam hears this and immediately says, 'I know my hat color!' What color is Liam's hat, and how does he know?
Liam's hat is red.
Maya would only know her hat color if both Liam and Noah wore blue hats (leaving her with red). Since Maya doesn't know, Liam deduces that he and Noah are not both wearing blue. Liam looks at Noah; if Noah wore blue, Liam would know his own hat was red. Since Liam knows his hat color immediately, Noah must be wearing a blue hat, making Liam's hat red.
About this riddle
Logic riddles give you a few facts and ask what must be true. List what you know, cross out what cannot be, and see what is left.
Difficulty: Medium. More like this: Logic riddles with answers or try Einstein's Logic Grid for a different kind of puzzle.
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