The dice problem

[chrisstone]

This is a good starter and I always use this in Maths training as an opener, ask the students/audience what number does the dice roll onto. Its not really about the answer but how you found the answer, the more you look at this the more ideas of solving the problem will emerge....(there is also a voting tab on the RHS)
Have fun
Chris:cool:

[scaulfield]

That is a great opening question.
You could have some hints in there if you like. Put the correct side of the dice under those boxes.

[BenPosner]

Um, or at least put the answer in the Page Notes, since some of us really want to use this page, and have NO CLUE what the correct answer is!

~Ben

[chrisstone]

I like the idea of the numbers under the square, excellent.
I have seen people make dice, draw out nets, go and find a dice etc.... just to solve this problem.
Now you all know the opposite sides of a dice add up to 7 (well I hope you all do)
Now here is another way to look at this problem.... Do not move the dice but in true Christmas fashion, wrap the path around the dice to find the answer.... Bet you never thought of that, I say this because I never thought of it either the first time I saw this problem.
Don't you just love thinking outside the box!
Chris:cool:

[scaulfield]

I like the idea of thinking of wrapping the dice.

Thinking outside the wrapped box! :)

[chrisstone]

I was waiting forthat pun Scott..... So what is the answer then guys?
Chris:cool:

[BenPosner]

OK, tried to wrap the die, and just can't figure this out! My brain just isn't working properly tonight (or any other night!). I will have to find a board game when I get home tomorrow night!!

~Ben

[scaulfield]

What can I say Chris, I'm a Punny guy! :)
(Sorry, just had to!)

[BenPosner]

That was just bad, Scott. Thanks for the non-laugh!

~Ben

[chrisstone]

Its the American sense of humour..... But the question remains you are still yet to solve the promblem, its only got 6 possible answers, come on guys your letting yourselves down there across the pond...
Chris:cool:

[scaulfield]

That sounds like a challenge!

The answer is 6! (Am I right?:rolleyes:)

[blacanni]

oops I thought the answer was 1.:rolleyes:I may look like I'm doing nothing, but at a cellular level I am extremely busy!clwn

[BenPosner]

And somehow, when I did it at home, I got the answers 2, 3, 4, and 5 doing it a few times. Well, one of us has to be right, right?

~Ben

[scaulfield]

Unless the answer is 7, one of us is right! :)
Come on Chris, don't keep us waiting! :)

[chrisstone]

Its funny how a simple idea promotes such ideas
the answer is a triangular number
the answer is not 1, but I understand why you think it is
well the answer is........ some text missing ..........
do are you all happy now?
Chris:cool:

[scaulfield]

Be happier when you let us know the answer! :)
I can't wait until 2009! :)

[BenPosner]

So, its either 3 or 6... I love using the previous posts about triangular numbers to figure that one out!

~Ben

[chrisstone]

So your down to 2/6 probability or 1/3 if simplified, I will post the answer before 2009 starts
Chris....tmas:cool:

[BenPosner]

Oh Chris,

Thanks for the tease, but I really think I actually figured it out the other night when I was playing Farkel with one of my oldest friends now that I am home in Louisiana. WEIRD. I will let you know if I got it right after you posted the answer...

~Ben

[scaulfield]

Well I know from Monty Hall, that now that Chris has given us this information, my odds have gone down if I switch! So I'm sticking with my first choice!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monty_Hall_problem

[chrisstone]

6666666666666666666666666666666666666666666six6666 666666666666666666666666666666666666
is the answer,but I thnk you all new this,strange how something so simple took to being such a long thread.
What we need is some other dice problems, I will have a look for some.
Chris:cool:

[scaulfield]

YES!!!!!!!

[BenPosner]

Scott, I always knew you were a smart cookie! Its been fun working on this! Thanks again, Chris!

~Ben

[chrisstone]

your more the welcme, I will find another suitable problem in the future
Chris:cool: