General Remark for all assignments - always remember the following statement by Blaise Pascal: "I have made this letter longer than usual, because I lack the time to make it shorter."
Assignment 5
Due: Wed, February 6, 2002
The Mutilated "8x8" Matrix
The Problem: The figure below shows you a mutilated "8x8" matrix (the two opposing corners cut out) and a domino block. One domino block covers exactly two fields of the "8x8" matrix.
Note: It is straightforward that one can use 32 domino blocks to cover a complete "8x8" matrix.
Question: Can one cover the mutilated "8x8" matrix with 31 domino blocks?
Remark: the major objective of this assignment is that you spend some effort solving this problem and answering the questions below – it is not so important that you will succeed solving the problem!
Also: engage in some collaborative efforts solving it
Please do the following (please structure your answer accordingly – thanks):
- try to find an answer to this problem!
- document briefly your thinking – including all the important intermediate steps and failing attempts (i.e., create a "think-aloud protocol")
- which resources did you use to solve the problem?
- which process did you use?
- which practice (of you or others) did you use?
- could computers be useful to solve this problem?
- what have you learned solving the problem: in general and for our course?
- what have you learned not being able to solve the problem: in general and for our course?