MathDB
IMOR 2017 - Problem 4

Source: 1st International Mathematical Olympic Revenge

July 22, 2017
IMORcombinatorics

Problem Statement

Let n>1n>1 be a positive integer. Ana and Bob play a game with other nn people. The group of nn people form a circle, and Bob will put either a black hat or a white one on each person's head. Each person can see all the hats except for his own one. They will guess the color of his own hat individually.
Before Bob distribute their hats, Ana gives nn people a strategy which is the same for everyone. For example, it could be "guessing the color just on your left" or "if you see an odd number of black hats, then guess black; otherwise, guess white".
Ana wants to maximize the number of people who guesses the right color, and Bob is on the contrary.
Now, suppose Ana and Bob are clever enough, and everyone forms a strategy strictly. How many right guesses can Ana guarantee?
Proposed by China.