I place three dice in a row.
The numbers on the tops of the dice read $6$, $1$ and $5$.
The sum of the numbers on the top is $6+1+5=12$.
What is the sum of the numbers on the bottoms of the dice?
I place the dice in a row, and this time the numbers on the top
read $1$, $4$ and $3$.
Write down the sum of the numbers on the top and the sum of the
numbers on the bottom.
Try out some arrangements yourself. Each time record the sum of the
numbers on the top and the sum of the numbers on the bottom.
Do you notice a relationship between the top sum and the bottom
sum?
Can you explain it?
I experiment with arrangements where the top sum is a multiple of
three, and find that in each case the bottom sum is also a multiple
of three.
Is it always true that when the top sum is a multiple of three, the
bottom sum is also a multiple of three?
I try to arrange the dice so that the top and bottom sums are both
multiples of four, but can't seem to be able to do it.
Can you explain why not?
On the other hand, if I arrange four dice in a row it is easy to
make the top and bottom sums both multiples of four.
Can I arrange four dice so that the top and bottom sums are both
multiples of three?