For another problem that builds on the ideas in this problem, students can be directed to More Magic Potting Sheds

Full details of a tried and tested classroom approach to this problem can be found in the Notes to More Magic Potting Sheds

This activity offers students the opportunity to explore a new environment and challenges them to use some deductive reasoning. The problem can be tackled on paper but access to the interactivity will speed up the process of exploring different possibilities.

It is important to have paper available for students to record the results of the different trials.