Drexel dragonThe Math ForumDonate to the Math Forum


Math Forum
 Ask Dr. Math
 Discussions
 Internet Newsletter
 MathTools
 Problems of the Week
 Teacher2Teacher
 Teacher Exchange
 Workshops

Search All of the Math Forum:
Browse our Internet Mathematics Library

Views expressed in these public forums are not endorsed by Drexel University or The Math Forum.


Math Forum » Discussions » sci.math.* » sci.math.independent

Topic: 1...N puzzle
Replies: 27   Last Post: Nov 7, 1999 6:36 AM

Advanced Search
Reply to this Topic Reply to this Topic

Back to Topic List Back to Topic List Jump to Tree View Jump to Tree View   Messages: [ Previous | Next ]
Jon Haugsand

Posts: 26
Registered: 12/12/04
Re: 1...N puzzle
Posted: Nov 6, 1999 3:18 AM
  Click to see the message monospaced in plain text Plain Text   Click to reply to this topic Reply



* nvakil@gb-sam-ltsb-11.com
>
> I think the best guess is m = N/2 (integer) and then guess consecutive
> numbers from N/2 + 1 up to N and start from 1 to N.
>
> This way, if the hider's original guess is between N/2 and N then you hit it
> in less than N/2 times. However, if the original guess is less than N/2
> (integer) then total number of guesses is 1.5N.

Then you are guaranteed to end up with 1.5N. If you always start at 1
and carry upwards, you always end up with N guesses, clearly better.

--
Jon Haugsand
Norwegian Computing Center,
<mailto://Jon.Haugsand@nr.no> Pho: +47 22852608 / +47 22852500,
Fax: +47 22697660, Pb 114 Blindern, N-0314 OSLO, Norway

Point your RSS reader here for a feed of the latest messages in this topic.

[Privacy Policy] [Terms of Use]

© Drexel University 1994-2013. All Rights Reserved.
The Math Forum is a research and educational enterprise of the Drexel University School of Education.