Activity 1.1

Math Activity 1.1: Peg-Jumping Puzzle

Purpose: To solve a complex problem, applying multiple strategies.

Materials: colored pens or pencils, paper, time

Description of the game:

You want to move the green pegs to the right and the red pegs to the left.
You can move one peg at a time.
A peg can move to an open adjacent hole.

or can jump one peg of a different color to an open hole.

The Problem

What is the fewest number of moves needed to get the 4 green pegs to the right and the 4 red pegs to the left?

Hint: green pegs should only move right and red pegs should only move left.

Suggestion

You might want to start with a simpler problem. First, the easiest version would be one each of green and red.

What is the solution for one of each, that is, what is the fewest number of moves to get green right and red left?

Next try two of each color, and work your way up to 4 of each color peg.

What is the solution for two of each, that is, what is the fewest number of moves to get green right and red left? Is there a pattern to the order of the moves, i.e., rights and lefts?

Please work on this problem, then submit your solution with supporting work. Some sketches are necessary.

Here is an app to play with.

What is the fewest number of moves needed to get the 4 green pegs to the right and the 4 red pegs to the left?

What to submit?

Please enter your work in the submission box, or provide a shareable link to your work.