Collaborative Mathematics

Challenge 08: Confetti Problem
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Challenge 08, Part 1:

Challenge 08, Part 2:

  • Download the handout for Challenge 08.
  • Watch the video responses.
  • Explore the follow-up challenges.
  • Share your ideas in the comments section.
 

Video Responses

Reach out to share your solution and have it included here! :)
 

Follow-up Challenges

  • Note that neither of the paper-ripping methods allows us to create exactly 5 pieces. What numbers of pieces are possible (or impossible) to create using our two methods? How do you know?
  • Suppose we change the procedure from Part 1 to be: "Start with a piece of paper. At each step, choose a piece and tear it into 4 pieces." Could we create exactly 2014 pieces? What numbers are possible or impossible to create?
  • What if the procedure were to choose a piece and tear it into 10 pieces? N pieces?
 
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