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?