Elementary Problem of the Week

November 4-8,1996


Elem POW Problems || Sept-Nov '96 Problems || Elem POW Main Page

Hello, problem solvers. I just got this letter in my e-mail and I hope you can help this person sort out his dilemna. Please be clear in your explanation to him because he is really anxious to be invited to join the emperor in his grand feast. Maybe you can act the problem out (use Post-It notes instead of pouring oats on your classmates' heads). He doesn't say how many people are invited so I guess you'll have to try it for different numbers of guests and see if you can find a pattern. Thanks for your help. He's really counting on you.

- Ruth

The Emperor's Banquet

You have been invited to the emperor's banquet. The emperor is a really strange host. Instead of sitting with his guests at his large round dining table, he walks around the table pouring oats on the head of every other person. He continues this process. pouring oats on the head of everyone who has not had oats until there is only one person left. This last person is then allowed to join the emperor in his grand feast. The question is, where should you sit if you do not want oats poured on your head?

This week's mentor is S.VEnkataraman from the Si Ling Sec School in Singapore. He holds an M.Sc and an M.Phil First Class in Mathematics from Madras University, India. Since receiving B.Ed and M.Ed in education, he has been teaching for 17 years.

Solution:

There are two main directions:

(i) Anti-clockwise direction:

   (a) Odd number of guests:

        He must sit in the second chair 
        on the king's left side

                  king
                   *      1st person
                             *
                                    Answer position
                                      *

   (b) Even number of guests:

        He must sit next to Mr King,
        on his left

                      Mr King
                        *
                              Answer position
                                *

(ii) Clockwise direction: The same answer, but 
     on the king's right side.

[Privacy Policy] [Terms of Use]

_____________________________________
Home || The Math Library || Quick Reference || Search || Help 
_____________________________________

© 1994-2012 Drexel University. All rights reserved.
http://mathforum.org/
 The Math Forum is a research and educational enterprise of the Goodwin College of Professional Studies.The Math Forum is a research and educational enterprise of the Goodwin College of Professional Studies.