This problem solving activity has a logic and reasoning focus.
In the Federated Universe, the Galpons and the Exetrarts do not get on.
The Exetrarts will dematerialise any Galpon they are in close contact with, provided they are in the majority.
The Galpons are peaceful and won't harm any Exetrarts they find themselves with.
Three Galpons and three Exetrarts are on a crippled space transport to the planet Jeeboh.
Therefore they need to transfer to a space shuttle in which only two creatures can travel at a time.
All of the Galpons can drive the shuttle but only one Exetrart can drive.
Can they all get to the surface of Jeeboh safely?
This is a logic problem, and logic is an important part of mathematics and of the curriculum.
If students choose to act this out or use equipment, a careful record of each step should be made. By using a table or drawing a diagram, the method will be more evident. This written record should also be encouraged in order for students to be able to justify their solution, or to identify an error made in the process.
Related Level 5 logic and reasoning problems include Lake Crossing I.
In the Federated Universe, the Galpons and the Exetrarts do not get on.
The Exetrarts will dematerialise any Galpon they are in close contact with, provided they are in the majority.
The Galpons are peaceful and won't harm any Exetrarts they find themselves with.
Three Galpons and three Exetrarts are on a crippled space transport to the planet Jeeboh.
Therefore they need to transfer to a space shuttle in which only two creatures can travel at a time.
All of the Galpons can drive the shuttle but only one Exetrart can drive.
Can they all get to the surface of Jeeboh safely?
Can you generalise this problem? Can you solve it?
In the solution below, g1, g2, g3 are the Galpons and e1, E2, E3 are the Exetrarts and e1 has done the space shuttle driver’s course.
On the space transport | In the shuttle | On Jeeboh |
(g1, g2, g3, e1, E2, E3 temporarily) | ||
g1, g3, e1, E3 | g2, E2 (to Jeeboh) | (g2, E2 temporarily) |
(g1, g2, g3, e1, E3 temporarily) | g2 ( to transport) | E2 |
g1, g2, g3 | e1, E3(to Jeeboh) | (e1, E2, E3 temporarily) |
(g1, g2, g3, e1 temporarily) | e1 (to transport) | E2, E3 |
g1, e1 | g2, g3 (to Jeeboh) | (g2, g3, E2, E3 temporarily) |
(g1, g2, e1, E2 temporarily) | g2, E2 (to transport) | g3, E3 |
g2, E2 | g1, e1 (to Jeeboh) | (g1, g3, e1, E3 temporarily) |
(g1, g2, E2, E3 temporarily) | g1, E3 (to transport) | g3, e1 |
E2, E3 | g1, g2 (to Jeeboh) | (g1, g2, g3, e1 temporarily) |
(e1, E2, E3 temporarily) | e1 (to transport) | g1, g2, g3 |
E3 | e1, E2 (to Jeeboh) | (g1, g2, g3, e1, E2 temporarily) |
(e1, E3 temporarily) | e1 (to transport) | g1, g2, g3, E2 |
e1, E3 (to Jeeboh) | ||
g1, g2, g3, e1, E2, E3 |
Can you do this in fewer than 13 trips?
Printed from https://meaningfulmaths.nt.edu.au/mmws/nz/resource/space-crossing at 8:59pm on the 26th February 2024