Prince Valiant went to fight a 3-headed, 3-tailed dragon.
He has a magic sword that can, in one stroke, chop off either one head, two heads, one tail, or two tails.
This dragon is of a type related to the hydra; if one head is chopped off, a new head grows. In place of one tail, two new tails grow; in place of two tails, one new head grows; if two heads are chopped off, nothing grows.
What is the smallest number of strokes required to chop off all the dragon's heads and tails, thus killing it?
(In reply to
re: Biologic not math answer by nate)
My tongue in cheek suggestion for a 3-cut solution was:
Slice off 2 tails
Slice off 2 heads
Slice off 2 heads
At this point the dragon has one tail, but no mouth. The dragon being unable to eat should die, theoretically. But of course being a magical creature, perhaps a dragon could survive without food.
Speaking of food, I'm not a member of PETA, and I'm not very politically correct. But I recognize that many people are, which is why Prince Valiant might need legal representation. Particulary if he didn't have a dragon hunting license.
Because it is duck season.
"Dwagon season."
Duck season.
"Dwagon season."
Duck season.
"Dwagon season."
(and I thought PETA stood for People Eating Tasty Animals)
|
|
Posted by Larry
on 2004-12-13 03:16:04 |
Dear Nate: re(2): Biologic not math answer
