More 100th Day of School Fun - NIM
One of my all-time favorite math games to play with children, NIM, can be adapted to a 100th Day of School game.
100th Day of School NIM
A game for 2 players, to be played in your head or with a calculator if you must.
Starting at zero, players take turns adding any number they choose from 1 to 9 to the ongoing total. The player to reach exactly 100 wins. For example:
Player 1: 0+9=9
Player 2: 9+1=10
Player 1: 10+5=15
Player 2: 15+5=20
Many more turns and calculations later:
Player 1: 90+8=98
Player 2: 98+2=100 And Player 2 wins!
NIM is considered a “deterministic game”. This means that this is a pure strategy game, and that if both players know the winning strategy, the winner can be determined before the game begins.
What this means is that you must:
1) Always let the child choose whether to go first or second.
2) Always play to win. (Otherwise it’s a random game with little hope for learning the winning strategy.)
An Important Note to Parents:
If you figure out the winning strategy, for heaven’s sake don’t tell your child!! This is stealing the pleasure of figuring it out for themselves right out from under them. You no doubt will feel a sense of accomplishment if you uncover the strategy on your own; let your child experience that wonderful feeling, too.
If this 100 game is too difficult for your child, here’s the standard NIM game which is within reach of the youngest elementary school students. It may take them years to figure out the winning strategy (that’s okay, really!) but the calculations will be doable.
Basic NIM
Start with 12 objects.
Players take turns removing 1, 2 or 3 objects at a time, announcing how many objects are left at the end of the turn.
Whoever removes the last object(s), wins.
This is a great travel game with pennies. Play it with the sugar bags the next time you’re waiting for your food at a restaurant. But remember, don’t give away the answer or you’ll have to think up a new game the next time you go out to eat!
Once your child has figured out how to win with 12, start with 13 or more. Can he or she still beat the game?
If you really must see your child master the strategy, I’ll be happy to share my tips on how to unfold the game’s secrets. As anyone who has been to one of my Family Math Nights knows, I don’t give away answers -- only tips on how to think about the solution.
Enjoy!
Rita
100th Day of School NIM
A game for 2 players, to be played in your head or with a calculator if you must.
Starting at zero, players take turns adding any number they choose from 1 to 9 to the ongoing total. The player to reach exactly 100 wins. For example:
Player 1: 0+9=9
Player 2: 9+1=10
Player 1: 10+5=15
Player 2: 15+5=20
Many more turns and calculations later:
Player 1: 90+8=98
Player 2: 98+2=100 And Player 2 wins!
NIM is considered a “deterministic game”. This means that this is a pure strategy game, and that if both players know the winning strategy, the winner can be determined before the game begins.
What this means is that you must:
1) Always let the child choose whether to go first or second.
2) Always play to win. (Otherwise it’s a random game with little hope for learning the winning strategy.)
An Important Note to Parents:
If you figure out the winning strategy, for heaven’s sake don’t tell your child!! This is stealing the pleasure of figuring it out for themselves right out from under them. You no doubt will feel a sense of accomplishment if you uncover the strategy on your own; let your child experience that wonderful feeling, too.
If this 100 game is too difficult for your child, here’s the standard NIM game which is within reach of the youngest elementary school students. It may take them years to figure out the winning strategy (that’s okay, really!) but the calculations will be doable.
Basic NIM
Start with 12 objects.
Players take turns removing 1, 2 or 3 objects at a time, announcing how many objects are left at the end of the turn.
Whoever removes the last object(s), wins.
This is a great travel game with pennies. Play it with the sugar bags the next time you’re waiting for your food at a restaurant. But remember, don’t give away the answer or you’ll have to think up a new game the next time you go out to eat!
Once your child has figured out how to win with 12, start with 13 or more. Can he or she still beat the game?
If you really must see your child master the strategy, I’ll be happy to share my tips on how to unfold the game’s secrets. As anyone who has been to one of my Family Math Nights knows, I don’t give away answers -- only tips on how to think about the solution.
Enjoy!
Rita
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