There is just one way to go from XXXXOOOO to XOXOXOXO in five moves if *three* adjacent coins are moved at each turn. How?

I think I have the solution in four steps. But I move the three adjacent coins in another way. First you just name the spots and call them 1, 2,...8. Then you pick the three coins you want to change. Next, just rearrange the coins in the spots.

For example, the coins in 4-6: XXXXOOOO could go to XXXOXOOO, or XXXOOXOO.

My answer: Bolds are what is going to be moved. Underlined is what it got changed to.

Coin's Arrangement          Step

XXXXOOOO                        0

XXOXXOOO                        1

XOXXXOOO                        2

XOXOXXOO                        3

XOXOXOXO                        4

This is just what I think, and what I think is that using this changing method there is more than just one way.

Posted by ron on 2004-12-31 00:55:25