SAMPLE PUZZLE _ SOLUTION !!!
PROBLEM STATEMENT:
The dragon of ignorance has three heads and three tails. However, you can slay it with the sword of knowledge by cutting off all its heads and tails. With one swipe of the sword you can cut off one head, two heads, one tail, or two tails.
But . . .
When you cut off one head, a new one grows in its place.
When you cut off one tail, two new tails replace it.
When you cut off two tails, one new head grows.
When you chop off two heads, nothing grows.
Help the world by slaying the dragon of ignorance. What are the minimum number of CUTS required to kill the dragon?
SOLUTION :
All of the tails must be converted to heads in such a way that the dragon is left with an even number of heads. The way to do this in the smallest number of strokes would be to first convert the 3 tails to 6 tails by using 3 1-tail strokes, then converting the 6 tails to 3 heads via 3 2-tail strokes. Finally, the now 6-headed dragon can be killed with 3 2-head strokes, for a total of 9 strokes.
About Us
- Maths N Tech Club, NIT Durgapur.
- Established in the year 2004, the Maths 'N' Tech Club was initially conceived with the idea of providing a stage for the elite in the field of mathematics who shared an equal passion for defining technology. The club intends to popularise and regularise maths and science among the student community.
2 comments:
1. cut 2 tails, 1 head grows(hhhh;t)
2. cut 2 heads.(hh;t)
3. cut remaining two heads(-;t)
4. cut the tail, now it has 2 tails.(-;tt)
5. cut a tail, now 3 tails.(-;ttt)
6. again cut the tail, now four tails.(-;tttt)
7. cut two tails, a new head grows(h;tt)
8. cut remaing two tails, another head grows(hh;-)
9. cut both the heads...(-;-)
Alternative solution for the sample puzzle.....
1)cut 2 tails,1 head grows
2)cut one tail,2 tails grows
now..there are 4 heads and 2tails...
3)cut 1 tail,2 tails grows
4)cut 2 tails,1 head grows
now there are 5 heads and 1 tail
5)cut 1 tail,2 tails grows
6)cut 2 tails,1 head grows
now there are 6 heads
7)cut 2 heads
8)cut 2 heads
9)cut remaining 2 heads....thats all
Post a Comment