Mind-Bending Math Puzzles and Games Collection
Explore a collection of mind-bending math puzzles and games featuring challenges like "Spinning Lincolns" and "Coins on the Table." Test your logic and problem-solving skills with intriguing scenarios. Dive into the world of mathematical mysteries and ignite your brainpower with these engaging puzzles and games.
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author. If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
You are allowed to download the files provided on this website for personal or commercial use, subject to the condition that they are used lawfully. All files are the property of their respective owners.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Puzzle 1: Spinning Lincolns Ignite the Fire: A penny ? = 1 is rolled around a larger coin ? = 3 The penny never slips as it rolls along the circumference How many total times will Lincoln s head spin around completely in one full revolution around the larger coin? Fan the Flame: What would be different if rolled along a straight line? What about if the larger coin had a diameter of ? = ?? What s a sidereal year and what does it have to do with this?
Game 1: Montys Grand Hall Problem Ignite the Fire: Contestant has a choice of one of three doors Behind one door is a car; behind the other two are goats After selecting, the host opens one door, revealing a goat The contestant is now offered a choice to stay or switch Fan the Flame: What if you get both choices simultaneously Try repeating the game, always using one strategy What if there were 5 doors? 10? 50? 100?
Puzzle 2: Coins on the Table Ignite the Fire: You have 100 uniform-radius coins on a rectangular table The coins have negligible thickness, and don t overlap No new coins can be placed without causing overlap What number of the same coins would be needed to guarantee full coverage of the table, allowing for overlap? Fan the Flame: How would you prove this? Is your number minimal? How would you prove that?
Game 2: Nims New Gamble Ignite the Fire: There s $50 on the table, under a pile of markers 2 players take turns removing markers from the table On their turn, a player must remove between 1 marker and double the markers removed by the previous player If you are the one to remove the last marker, you win $50 Fan the Flame: On which starting numbers do each of the players have winning strategies? How would you prove this?
Puzzle 1: Escape from Goblin Lake Ignite the Fire: You are in the middle of a lake, guarded by a goblin The goblin can run 4 times faster than you can swim The goblin can t swim, so he won t get into the water If you can get to dry land, you can outrun the goblin If the goblin catches you at the shore, he will eat you Fan the Flame: What if the goblin is 5 times faster? 4.5 times faster? What is the restriction on the goblin s speed for escape?
Game 3: The Prisoners Shared Dilemma Ignite the Fire: 100 prisoner numbers in 100 randomly-numbered boxes Each prisoner may open at most 50 boxes, one-at-a-time They succeed if they find their own number If they ALL succeed, they re freed; if not, they re executed They can strategize before entering the room, but not after What is the best strategy? What is P(success)? Fan the Flame: What is P(success) for 1 prisoner? ? prisoners as ? ?
For More Information Presenter: Sean Saunders, M.Sc. Professor of Mathematics Sheridan College, ON, Canada Contact Info: sean.saunders@sheridancollege.ca
