Stage: 2 Challenge Level: 
| This is a game for 2 players which you can play against the computer or with pencil and paper. You first draw a daisy with at least 5 petals and as many as you like. The players take it in turns to shade one petal or 2 petals next to each other. The winner is the one to shade the last petal. Try to work out the winning strategy and whether one of the players has the advantage. |  |
|
To play the computer select the number of petals you would
like, and who you would like to go first, then press the
"Start Game" button. If you have chosen to go first, click
on a petal, and drag it away from flower. It will turn red
to show that it has been selected. You can select just one
petal, or two petals next to each other. When you are ready
to remove the petals, press the "Remove" button.
When it it the computer's turn, the petals it selects will turn green and will be dragged away. What is your strategy? Is it possible to beat the computer every time? If not, under what conditions can you beat it? |
Mental addition & subtraction. Practical Activity. Games. Factors and multiples. Addition & subtraction. Generalising. Interactivities. Working systematically. Dice. Visualising.
Published November 1998.
Copyright © 2007. University of Cambridge. All rights reserved.
NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project, which also includes the Plus and Motivate sites.
email: nrich@damtp.cam.ac.uk
