Q. An emperor wants to find the cleverest of all men in his country to appoint him as his minister. There were three who made it to the last. The emperor places a crown on each of their heads, such that each man could see all of the other crowns, but none their own. Each crown was either gold or silver. The emperor gave his word to the wise men that at least one of them was wearing a gold crown; and that the contest would be fair to all three men. They were also not allowed to speak to each other. The emperor declared that whoever stood up and correctly announced the color of his own crown first would become his new minister. The men sat for a very long time before one stood up and correctly announced the answer. What did he say, and how did he figure it out?

hmm, i think i understand your idea ndnch... but i think there is a mistake in your question


The key words are

The emperor gave his word to the wise men that at least one of them was wearing a gold crown
and
and that the contest would be fair to all three men

the possible options, because it say it`ll be fair to all three men, so,
1. 2 guys using silver crown isnt fair, because the third man will know he`s using gold crown (unfair)
2. 1 guy using silver crown and 2 gold crown (possible)
3. 3 guys using gold crown - (possible)
4. 3 guys using silver - (impossible)

now we look at option 2 and 3... because other options not possible or unfair
if a guy see 2 gold crown, he can`t know if he`s using Gold(3) or Silver(2)

if a guy see 1 silver and 1 gold, he can know for sure that he`s using a gold crown (2), because option 1 and 4 not possible or unfair
so, the answer is he said is Gold Crown.

This is the only possible answer, the problem is.. you said it must be fair the all three guys

in option 2, the guys that can see 1 silver and 1 gold, can know the answer
so, two of the guys can answer it, but the third one (using silver crown, can`t never know)
so it`s only fair to 2 guys.
So... i think your question is wrong

My answer is> the question have a mistake, because the game was not fair to the 3 guys