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Sample Problems
Puzzles to Share with Family
Pirate Democracy
Pretend your family is a group of pirates and you found 10 very expensive gold coins. You now have to divide them using pirate democracy rules: the oldest pirate suggests a division of coins, and then everyone votes.
Just half of the votes are needed to win. If the vote passes - the coins are distributed. If it fails, the captain has to walk the plank (which here just means going for a swim on a cold day), and the next oldest person becomes captain.
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If all things are equal for a pirate, they would rather see someone walk the plank. Pirates are also very greedy and rational - they want to get as many coins as possible for themselves.
What is the greatest number of coins the oldest pirate can win in your family?
Looking for the solution? Click here.
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Grades 1-2
The Cat in the Hat caught 5 fish plus one-half of the total catch. How many fish did he catch?
Three pirates are trying to move a large treasure chest across a river. The trouble is, their boat can only fit 2 pirates and the chest or 3 pirates. Also, it takes all 3 pirates to lift the chest. How can the pirates all cross the river with their treasure?
Grades 3-5
In a family, a brother has as many sisters as brothers, but each of his sisters has half as many sisters as brothers. How many children are there in the family?
Fold a single piece of paper in such a way that with a single straight cut you make a 5-pointed star. Now fold another piece of paper to make a heart with a single straight cut.
