From: Robert Dober <robert.dober@...>
Date: 2007-01-27T05:51:27+09:00
Subject: Re: Counting Toothpicks (#111)

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On 1/26/07, CHubas <CHubas7@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> On Jan 26, 7:46 am, Ruby Quiz <j...@grayproductions.net> wrote:
> > The three rules of Ruby Quiz:
> >
> > 1.  Please do not post any solutions or spoiler discussion for this quiz
> until
> > 48 hours have passed from the time on this message.
> >
> > 2.  Support Ruby Quiz by submitting ideas as often as you can:
> >
> > http://www.rubyquiz.com/
> >
> > 3.  Enjoy!
> >
> > Suggestion:  A [QUIZ] in the subject of emails about the problem helps
> everyone
> > on Ruby Talk follow the discussion.  Please reply to the original quiz
> message,
> > if you can.
> >
> >
> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
> >
> > This quiz was adapted from an ACM programming challenge at the
> suggestion of
> > Gavin Kistner.
> >
> > Simple math can be done with toothpicks alone.  Positive integers are
> just a
> > count of toothpicks so three becomes |||.  We can use two toothpicks
> together to
> > build a plus sign (+) or even tilt those slightly to get a
> multiplication
> > operator (x).  Putting all of that together, the expression ||x||||+| is
> another
> > way to express the number nine.
> >
> > This weeks quiz is to write a program that takes a single command-line
> argument
> > which will be a positive integer.  Your code should build a toothpick
> expression
> > to calculate the number using as few toothpicks as possible.  For
> example:
> >
> >         $ruby toothpick.rb 9
> >         |||x||| = 9 (8 toothpicks)
> >
> > Don't forget to count those operators!
> >
> > Posting toothpick expressions and/or counts for a given number is not
> spoiler
> > material.
>
> Is there any specific rule to do group expressions? I mean, something
> like
> (( III x III ) + IIIII ) X III
> is valid?
>
> Thanks for the quiz.


Ah you spoiled my idea I will try yo have a solution allowing for
parenthesis, imagine a  toothpick bent  like < and >, so I would assume
<II+III>x<I+IIII> (which is stupid of course) being 20 toothpicks.
Actually I feel that it will be easier to do a solution allowing for
parenthesis, but we will see ;)

Robert




-- 
"The best way to predict the future is to invent it."
- Alan Kay

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