Math Is Fun Forum

Hi Bobby,

I made some changes to it that reduced the run time down to 15 seconds (previously 1 minute).

There was some duplication and other stuff, such as a lot of unnecessary calculating that I eliminated by repositioning some if/then lines.

I've altered the code in my post #120.

Hi Bobby,

I'll have a closer look at your permutations post when I'm more awake.

But MIF has many more members than 414...not to mention guests.

It's amazing how many programs could be squeezed into those old machines. Helped me to develop bad program-writing habits, though, by jamming in the max amount of code per line just to save enough kBs here and there to make room for another program.

I used to record my PC-1500A's programs on cassette via a radio-cassette player. Had to twiddle the knobs and tweak the settings to get them just right for a successful upload...and download!

Hi Bobby,

I'm way out of my depth here and can't comment much...except to say that each method probably has strengths and weaknesses that the other doesn't have, and one might suit a particular application better than the other. In what ratio that is I wouldn't have a clue.

And they can work together, as in this problem I came across many years ago (see diagram). I came up with an equation in terms of x but couldn't solve it, and then used Newton's method of successive approximations to find the value of x.

I went to the library to try to find out how to solve nasty equations and read about Newton's method, but then had to learn up on it and try to understand what 'functions' and 'derivatives' were because I didn't get to that level at school.

Eventually I worked out how to program that into a little hand-held computer I've got (a Sharp PC-1500A), which automated the solving process.

That was all very interesting at the time...but now I've forgotten it all.

Hi phrew,

I don't know how to give a good hint for this. However, if you're still totally stuck on level 8 and you're tearing your hair out over it, here's a video of my solution that I uploaded: Level 8

It's not the quickest way (after recording it I noticed a couple of unnecessary moves), but it gets there and shows how I went about it. Others will have their own, and probably better, solutions.

Warning: If you look at the vid you will lose the satisfaction of conquering that level yourself...but it will save you from having to fork out for a wig!

EDIT: I've since bettered that solution - by 31 moves! (see my post #27 for the solution text and updated video). I've deleted the old vid.

You'd be an asset on the debating team, Bobby!

Surely the algebraic method is better for non-integer solutions, particularly those with multiple decimal places?

For me, the grass is greener over your way...

Hi;

This game is here on MIF.

Got through to the end!

Had to start again twice, though, and my 'strategy' is rather hit and miss.

Hi Bobby,

The gopher is caught 12 feet short of his hole.

Hi Bobby,

I don't know if you've tried my spreadsheet formulas, but I made a typo yesterday. I corrected it just a few minutes ago. Sorry 'bout that, if you've wasted some time on it!

Is

Hope