Favorite Math Problem
Problem solving is a element of mathematics. Mathematics is an essential subject because of its practical role to a person and society. Presenting a problem and developing the skills needed to solve that problem is more motivational than teaching the skills without a context. Such motivation gives problem solving special value as a way to learn new concepts and skills or the reinforcement of skills already acquired. Mathematics through problem solving can create a context which simulates real life and helps reinforce the mathematics. Problem solving can enhance our logical reasoning. People no longer function properly in society by just knowing the rules to follow to get a correct answer. They also need to be able to decide through a process of logical deduction what algorithm a situation requires, and sometimes need to be able to develop their own rules in a situation where an algorithm cannot be directly applied. Problem solving can be developed as a valuable skill as a way of thinking rather than just as the means to an end of finding the correct answer.
King Arthur liked to invite his knights over for parties around the round table. When the king had a gift that he could only give to one knight, he had them play a game that went like this:
First, King Arthur numbered the chairs around the table. At the start, every chair was occupied by a knight. (King Arthur himself did not sit at the table.) Then he stood behind the knight in chair 1 and said, "You're In." Next, he moved to the knight in chair 2 and said, "You're Out," and that knight left his seat and went off to stand at the side of the room to watch the rest of the game. Next he moved to the knight in chair 3 and said, "You're In." Then he said, "You're Out" to the knight in the chair 4, and that knight left his seat and went to the side of the room.
The king kept moving around and around the table, alternately saying, "You're In" or "You're Out" to the knights that remained at the table. (If a chair was now empty, he just skipped it.) He continued until only one knight was left sitting at the table. That knight was the winner.
If you were a knight, which chair number would you try to sit in at King Arthur's table?
King Arthur liked to invite his knights over for parties around the round table. When the king had a gift that he could only give to one knight, he had them play a game that went like this:
First, King Arthur numbered the chairs around the table. At the start, every chair was occupied by a knight. (King Arthur himself did not sit at the table.) Then he stood behind the knight in chair 1 and said, "You're In." Next, he moved to the knight in chair 2 and said, "You're Out," and that knight left his seat and went off to stand at the side of the room to watch the rest of the game. Next he moved to the knight in chair 3 and said, "You're In." Then he said, "You're Out" to the knight in the chair 4, and that knight left his seat and went to the side of the room.
The king kept moving around and around the table, alternately saying, "You're In" or "You're Out" to the knights that remained at the table. (If a chair was now empty, he just skipped it.) He continued until only one knight was left sitting at the table. That knight was the winner.
If you were a knight, which chair number would you try to sit in at King Arthur's table?