Project Euler Forum

Please, help me understand Nim Square:

1) If a player takes the last stone, does it win or loose? (Both versions of nim are played.)

2)

Find the number of losing positions for the next player

-- does it mean number of winning positions for starting player? (Sorry, English is not my native language).

Thank you.

Schattenjager

Schattenjager wrote:1) If a player takes the last stone, does it win or loose? (Both versions of nim are played.)

Problem 310 (View Problem) states "normal play Nim". It means that the player who takes the last stone(s) wins.

Find the number of losing positions for the next player

-- does it mean number of winning positions for starting player?

No, it means the number of losing positions for the starting player (the starting player is the next person to play)

Thank you very much.

harryh wrote:1) If a player takes the last stone, does it win or loose? No, it means the number of losing positions for the starting player (the starting player is the next person to play)

I found this confusing at first as well, but I think I understand....
We do test the position (29,29,29),weI don't need to test the "next" possible moves after each position, right?

Yes; assume it says 'for the starting player' rather than 'for the next player'.

'next' usually implies something had to happen first, which is why it has confused a couple of people.

Can somebody confirm the following result?

f(3) = 10
f(4) = 16

thanks

malayb wrote:Can somebody confirm the following result?
f(3) = 10
f(4) = 16

The first one is correct.

I get the right answer for f(29) = 1160
Can someone confirm these results:

f(x) = y
f(z) = a

chickenface wrote:I get the right answer for f(29) = 1160
Can someone confirm these results:

f(x) = y
f(z) = a

(results etc snipped).
That's what I get too.