The objective of the number drop game is to try and get a row of numbers in order by selecting certain ones that you want to drop to the end of the line. When you drop more than one number they move to the end while still keeping their relative order and the numbers you didn't drop move to the front while still keeping their relative order. You keep doing that until all the numbers are in order.

Solve these in the fewest moves possible:

1)1 3 5 7 9 2 4 6 8 10
2)10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

For ex: 34521

drop 34 = 34521 -> 52134
drop  2 = 52134 -> 51342
drop 34 = 51342 -> 51234
drop  5 = 51234 -> 12345

I drop the number individually because the question does not mention that we drop each item individually is to be considered as a drop.

When it mentions a drop, it could mean the number you fill up in one short or in one range of numbers instead of treating as dropping each individual item as a drop. 

If dropping each individual number is to be considered as a drop, the dropping of all even number is still to be considered as 5 drops since the 5 even numbers do not join with each other.

Anyway!  I accept your advice.  It might be that I am wrong since everybody could interpret the question another way round.  

I believe you must have the solution then.  What is your solution of less than 5 moves then.  The reason I mention less than 5 moves is Eric has taken the chance of excellent 5 moves & yet it is not the answer & that is why I looked at the problem in different angle & finally found out that this is the only possible solution then.

I give up in solving this question since I only could find this is the most possible fastest way that can finish less than 5 moves.  I am not so intellectual than you.

You might have your solution & interpretation.  When you solve this problem, please show us how you make it & how you interpret the problem then.  This is due to sometimes the question might lead to different interpretation if the question is not so clear cut.

Show us your talent & take up the challenge.  How I know you are smartest among all of us in this Perplexus dot info to handle this problem.  Go ahead men!

Thanks.

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Posted by Jonathan Chang on 2005-04-22 08:48:49