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

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

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 AZ ch poori

What is the common phrase? uPLATm Pot B B A A R R

What is the common phrase? bad bad dribble knee light light

What rule was used?

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

10 8 4

Water Jug

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?

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?