                                 Activity 5

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                              Towers of Hanoi

          An age-old exercise in finding a mathematical pattern.

                              by Olga Pesantes

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                    Table of Contents || Versin espaol
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     MATERIALS:

       1. 4 Towers of Hanoi puzzles (wooden sets)
       2. 1 data sheet for the group
       3. 1 computer
       4. Towers of Hanoi software

     DIRECTIONS:

       1. The Materials Manager checks that all the towers are
          complete. Each tower should have 6 wooden disks.
       2. The Reader reads the Legend of the Towers of Hanoi out loud
          to the group.
       3. There is a game based on this legend. You have a small
          collection of disks and 3 pegs on which you can place them.
          The disks all start on the leftmost peg and you want to move
          them to the rightmost peg. You can only move one disk at a
          time. You cannot put a larger disk on top of a smaller disc.
          Now you are ready to start.

             * Start by placing 1 disk on the left peg.
                  o How many moves does it take to move it to the
                    right peg?
                  o Consult with your group members.
                  o Write the answer down on your worksheet.

             * Now place 2 disks on the left peg.
                  o How many moves does it take to move them to the
                    right peg?
                  o Consult with your group members.
                  o Write the answer down on your worksheet.

             * Continue this procedure until you have found the
               solution for 6 disks. Remember that you are trying to
               move all the disks in the smallest number of moves.
               Good luck!

       4. When everyone in your group has finished, try moving the
          tower on the computer. This tower has 7 disks.

             * Move the mouse on the computer to take the screen saver
               off the screen.
             * At this point there should be an icon labeled Towers of
               Hanoi on the left hand side of your screen.
             * Drag your mouse over to the icon and double-click on
               Towers of Hanoi.
             * Using the mouse, select the button that says "TAKE" to
               move a disk.
             * Using the mouse, select the button that says "PLACE" to
               place the disk in that stack.
             * The computer will keep track of how many moves you have
               made.
             * When you have finished, press the button that says
               "QUIT" to leave the program.

     PRODUCT:

     In this center you will complete 1 worksheet as a group.

     CLEAN-UP:

       1. Make sure that all the towers are complete and that the
          disks are placed properly on the pegs.
       2. Make sure that the screen on your computer has the Towers of
          Hanoi icon on it so that the next group is ready to go when
          they arrive.

                              versin espaol


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                             Suzanne Alejandre
                              14 January 1997
