October 19, 2010
Problem of the Week
for Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Even though Paul and others (including you, perhaps) have been able to show that all the combinations of 6 different lights can represent over 60 numbers (64, to be exact), the clock manufacturer has rejected Paul's original idea. :How will anybody know which combination of lights represents which number?" he complains. "Nobody will be able to read the clock!". Paul decides to present a different display of the six lights:
He claims that there is a simple and clear rule for how to determine the number represented based on which lights are lit. Can you find such a rule? In order to convince the clock manufacturer that Paul's clock is usable, the rule must be written in a simple and clear way that anyone using the clock can understand. Make sure your solution is written in this way!