The puzzle of the black and white hats

The man who calls out is Number 2. Why?

After a short time, Number 1 has not shouted out what colour hat he is wearing. Because of this number 2 knows that he cannot be wearing the same colour hat as the person in front of him. If he was then number 1 would see two black hats and would therefore know that his hat must be white.

Armed with the knowledge that :-

• He isn't wearing the same colour hat as the man in front.
• The man in front is wearing a black hat.

number two can confidently shout out that the hat he is wearing is white.

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