The Best of Creative Computing Volume 1 (published 1976)
Puzzles and Problems for Fun (math puzzles)
The next instruction is 1-L-1, which records a 1 in square 10, returns us to
square 9 and indicates that the next instruction is on board 1. Because square 9
contains a 1, our instruction is 0-L-2 so we replace the 1 with a 0, move to
square 8 and proceed to board 2 for the next instruction. The tablet now appears
as:
[image] WE’RE HERE
And on we go. If you continue following these instructions until you reach STOP,
the tablet will finally appear as:
***
[image]
When STOP is reached, the success of the effort is measured by the longest
string of consecutive ones that appear on the tablet. In the example, the
longest string contained but three ones.
The Aedians problem was not to follow a particular instruction set, but to
create one. Specifically, their leader would be the person who could write the
series of instructions that would produce the longest finite sequence of
consecutive ones. Since you've just seen the example used to introduce the
problem to the young Aedians, you'll have to beat three consecutive ones before
you're their new leader. If you generate an impressive series, be sure to send
the instructions to Creative Computing. All worlds seem
desperately in need of leaders and we'll gladly publish your name as a likely
candidate.
[image]
Never underestimate the importance of just fooling around.
Kenneth Boulding
[image]
“The only time my education was interrupted was when I went to school.”
George Bernard Shaw
[image]
[image]
Puzzles and Problems For Fun
The number 153 =13 53 33 Find all other 3-digit numbers that have the same
property. How about 4-digit numbers? To the 4th?
Bill Morrison
Sudbury, Mass.
[image]
Mr. Karbunkle went to the bank to cash his weekly paycheck. ln handing over the
money, the cashier, by mistake, gave him dollars for cents and cents for
dollars.
He pocketed the money without examining it and spent a nickel on candy for his
little boy. He then discovered the error and found he possessed exactly twice
the amount of the check.
If he had no money in his pocket before cashing the check, what was the exact
amount of the check? One clue: Mr. Karbunkle earns less than $50 a week.
Can you find the missing number for each diagram? You first have to figure the
pattern which may be horizontal or vertical with a relationship between every
number, every second or third number. You may have to add, subtract, multiply,
divide, invert or do a combination of these things. Have fun!
[image]A
[image]B
[image]C
[image]D
Send us your favorite puzzles for this column!!
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