HP Calculator Applications in the Workplace

[Don Shepherd]

(07-13-2014 08:54 PM)Thomas Klemm Wrote:  

(07-13-2014 04:19 PM)Don Shepherd Wrote:  I was expecting something that actually plays the game.

Still not an interesting game: (HP-17B) NIM. But it lets you use the calculator when you want to play the game with somebody else.

In my experience the best way to play this game with someone that doesn't know the strategy is to start first, remove one object from any heap until you can reach a winning situation. Play it like that a few times and then ask politely: or do you want to start? From now on it's guaranteed that you can always win.

Though the calculation is more complicated than in your game you can still do it in your head. Your students could see how the binary representation of numbers could be useful.

Please post the equation for your game as well!

Cheers
Thomasd

OK, I posted the game here. If my students figure out the winning strategy without my help (and many do), then they have discovered the fine art of THINKING and I'm happy.