Take a number of counters (or coins or matches etc)
and arrange them into heaps. You are allowed one large heap or
lots of heaps of just one counter or any arrangement inbetween
these two extremes. You now proceed by carrying out the following
procedure:
Take one
counter from each existing heap and create a new
heap
Repeat this procedure again and again observing the
pattern of heaps that is produced. For example here is the
procedure carried out with 6 counters initially arranged into two
heaps of three:
Notice that the pattern of heaps is now the same.
Repeating the procedure does not change the number or sizes of the
heaps. Was this peculiar to starting with 6 counters? What other
numbers of starting counters produce this constant pattern? Does
changing the initial number of heaps affect the final outcome?
Explore Bulgarian Patience and be amazed!!
Incorporate this idea into a class lesson. You will
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If you have answers, discoveries, new questions etc to
do with this Number Fact then...
No
46
