Math Is Fun Forum

  Discussion about math, puzzles, games and fun.   Useful symbols: ÷ × ½ √ ∞ ≠ ≤ ≥ ≈ ⇒ ± ∈ Δ θ ∴ ∑ ∫ • π ƒ -¹ ² ³ °

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#1 2006-04-19 02:59:31

Ricky
Moderator
Registered: 2005-12-04
Posts: 3,791

Monkeys always get the best of you

http://www.f1compiler.com/samples/Sailors%20Monkey%20Coconuts.f1.html

The above is a link to a puzzle.  Now the solution isn't too hard to get if you use a computer and know how to program one.

But what I want to find is what happens if you have n number of people?  Is there a formula that can generate an answer?  The forumla doesn't have to be explicit, it can be recursive as well.

I've had no luck coming up with one.  Here are the solutions to n number of people:

Remember, when you change the number of people, you must also change the number of piles you divide the coconuts into.

Last edited by Ricky (2006-04-20 10:31:01)


"In the real world, this would be a problem.  But in mathematics, we can just define a place where this problem doesn't exist.  So we'll go ahead and do that now..."

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#2 2006-04-20 10:31:26

Ricky
Moderator
Registered: 2005-12-04
Posts: 3,791

Re: Monkeys always get the best of you

n^n - n + 1

Don't ask me how I got that, I couldn't tell you if I wanted to.


"In the real world, this would be a problem.  But in mathematics, we can just define a place where this problem doesn't exist.  So we'll go ahead and do that now..."

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