Post on 15-Jan-2016
Problem Solving and Creativity
John Paxton
Computer Science
Montana State University
Problem Solving Steps
Define the Problem Gather Information Develop Alternatives Weigh Alternatives, Select Best One Implement the Solution Monitor Progress Review and Learn From Experience
Dao
Dao
On a turn, a player should move one of his (her) pieces until it hits the edge of the board or another piece. A piece may be moved vertically, horizontally or diagonally.
Winning at Dao
Form a horizontal or vertical line with your four pieces
Occupy all four corners with your pieces Form a 2 by 2 square with your pieces Have one of your pieces surrounded in a
corner by three of your opponent’s pieces
Game Playing
my move
your move
5 -3 0 -6 4
Supply the Missing Words!
60 = M in an H
Minutes, Hour
Supply the missing words!
26 = L of the A 7 = W of the A W 1001 = A N 12 = S of the Z 54 = C in a D (with the J) 9 = P in the S S 88 = P K
Supply the missing words!
13 = S on the A F 32 = D F at which W F 8 = S on a S S 200 = D for P G in M 3 = B M (S H T R) 90 = D in a R A
Supply the missing words!
4 = Q in a G 24 = H in a D 1 = W on a U 5 = D in a Z C 57 = H V 11 = P on a F T 1000 = W that a P is W
Supply the missing words!
29 = D in F in a L Y 64 = S on a C 40 = D and N of the G F 80 = D to G A the W 2 = N it T to T
What is the common phrase?
i 4 i
beating
beating bush beating
D H beating
E T
A
What is the common phrase?
give get
give get poFISHnd
give get
give get 13579 AZ
ch poori
What is the common phrase?
uPLATm
Pot 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
B B
A A
R R
What is the common phrase?
bad bad
dribble
dribble
knee
light light
What rule was used?
8 5 4 9 1 7 6 3 2 0
How many total squares are there?
Missionaries and Cannibals
MMM
CCC
Stacks of Money
Suppose you have 100 one dollar bills. Place the bills into some number of stacks such that you can make any amount of dollars from 1 to 100 by solely using complete stacks of money. Try to use as few stacks as possible!
Water Jug
5
4
2
Water Jug
10
8
4
Water Jug
15
10
5
Counterfeit Coins
A counterfeit coin weighs 11 g. A genuine coin weighs 10 g. A stack of coins contains 10 coins. There are 9 stacks containing only genuine
coins. There is 1 counterfeit stack containing only
counterfeit coins.
Counterfeit Coins
What is the least number of weighings needed?
Lightbulb Problem
There are three lightbulbs in one room. There are three light switches in another
room. The rooms are on different floors of a
building. Can you determine how the switches and
bulbs are connected using one trip?
Why is a manhole cover round?
Why is a manhole cover round?
It can’t fall in. It rolls. It won’t damage cars. It uses the least materials.
Crossing the bridge at night
Person 1 takes 1 minute. Person 2 takes 2 minutes. Person 3 takes 5 minutes. Person 4 takes 10 minutes. There is one flashlight. At most two people can cross at once. How fast can the four people cross?