Diagram It: Solving Puzzles Like a Mathematician
Students will learn how to solve puzzles by making simple diagrams, taken from a branch of mathematics called graph theory.
Christopher Olston, PhD
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(41)
What's included
4 live meetings
3 hrs 40 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
We will study about a dozen puzzles (examples: pass a message at a party; coordinate animals crossing a river), and solve them together using diagrammatic representations. The diagrams we'll learn and practice together are from a branch of mathematics called graph theory. They are quite simple -- just some dots connected by lines -- yet powerful for finding solutions to puzzles. We'll learn some cool properties of graph diagrams, such as when is it possible to trace a pencil from a starting point to an end point while traversing every line exactly once. It turns out that knowledge like that can help us solve puzzles -- for example the traceability property gives the solution of the dominoes puzzle, when we represent the dominoes as a diagram. The key skill we'll practice together is translating a given puzzle into a diagram, and then using the diagram to solve the puzzle. This practice can help with abstract reasoning. The weekly progression is as follows: - Week 1: Introduce and practice working with graph diagrams, via several puzzles including Guarini's Puzzle. - Week 2: Learn about Euler paths and circuits in graphs (existence test and algorithm), via puzzles such as Bridges of Konigsberg. - Week 3: Practice Euler circuits via the Cave Treasure puzzle. Learn about state-space graphs via Lions and Wildebeest. - Week 4: Practice state-space graphs with Water Jug puzzle. Do one final puzzle. Review graph diagrams and how they've helped us solve various puzzles. No prior knowledge of graph theory is required, only enthusiasm for puzzles!
Learning Goals
Students will learn the methodology of solving puzzles by converting them into abstract diagrams, and analyzing the diagrams.
Other Details
Supply List
The homework between the first and second meetings will be to play the phone game 1LINE. Links: - Apple iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/1line-one-stroke-puzzle-game/id1179975506 - Android phones: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gamestart.oneline&hl=en_US
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Joined May, 2020
4.9
41reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
The teacher is a PhD computer scientist (former Google programmer) with 2 years experience teaching kids the math and algorithms used in programming, in a fun and engaging way.Reviews
Live Group Class
$100
for 4 classes1x per week, 4 weeks
55 min
Completed by 26 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-14
4-6 learners per class
