Pirates & Diamonds 4
posted October 22, 1999 as a Math Forum EPoW

Introduction: This problem challenges students to develop logic skills and problem-solving strategies by figuring out sequences of steps that will allow them to accomplish tasks not obviously possible with the tools provided.

Where's the Math: This problem draws on students' logical thinking skills and encourages use of measurement and geometry concepts. Standards: Measurement, algebra, geometry Role of Components: The Pirates & Diamonds series uses Geometer's Sketchpad to animate the containers, which are monitored via number entry fields (labeled with ESCOT labels) and triggered by a button panel. Instructions are displayed via the HTML viewer, and solutions are entered in a text entry box. Javascript handles communication among components.

(The applet for this problem is currently unavailable)

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Sample submitted solution:

From: Honora, age 13
Chelsea, age 13
School: School of the Arts, San Francisco, California

Instructions: There is a counter which keeps track of the number of times you have emptied a container. You may have noticed that you end up emptying the containers quite often, which seems like a waste of time. Also, the pirate is liable to make you walk the plank if you empty the containers too often because you are handling his diamonds too much. Which pair of containers should you choose to minimize the number of steps (Fill, Empty, Pour) it takes you to measure 8 lbs. of diamonds?
The first containers would be ten and twelve because it only took us four steps and we didn't even have to empty it once.

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