Time
for MATH MINUTE! (provide your favorite theme music here).
Get
out your paper & pencil because I have a new puzzle for you!!
PUZZLE #18 Socks Feb. 12
-Feb. 16
Suppose
you have 5 pairs of white socks and 5 pairs of black socks all mixed-up in your
sock drawer.
Your
bedroom light is broken and the sun is not up yet, but you have to get dressed
for work quick, and you are getting dressed in the bathroom so as not to wake
your room-mate (you are so considerate).
What
is the fewest number of socks you have to choose in the dark that will
guarantee that you will have a matched pair when you get to the bathroom?
What
if you have to wear black socks to work? What is the fewest number of socks you
have to choose then?
BONUS PUZZLE: Suppose you buy 2 pairs of red socks and 2
pairs of black socks, in addition to the socks you already have. Rework the
puzzle with these totals.
Send
your comments, ideas and solutions before Monday to this email address, and be sure to put
< MM > in the subject line:
Visit us here online
at
http://www2.potsdam.edu/parksjm/MM.htm
to see the results every Monday.
See
you next time on MATH MINUTE! (theme music fades out here).