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The Great Prime-versus-Prime Problem - Solved

Posted By: David Presser
Date: Sunday, 15 June 2014, at 5:26 a.m.

In Response To: The Great Prime-versus-Prime Problem (Nack Ballard)

Nice problem. The thinking process to my solution was counting the number of pips each player used. Based on an opening pip count of 167 blue had 59 (167-108) pips in 4 rolls and white had 64 (167-103) pips in 4 rolls. Therefore, blue is likely to be the first on roll using a roll which sums to an odd number and from that point all players roll doubles (strong assumption that can be released if it leads me nowhere). Moreover, White has 64 pips in 4 rolls which averages 16 pips per roll. Then, In order to make the correct plays, the possible opening sequences that came to mind are 42P-33A, xx-55P, and 61P-66O (bingo).

After mapping the problem, the trial and error part was just a matter of time. I think that the challenging part would be to prove its uniqueness but I am too lazy for that. Here is my proposed solution (please excuse any mistakes due to my poor notation skills):

61P-66O-55P-22A-44A-55P-44P-33 (13/4, 8/5)

Messages In This Thread

• The Great Prime-versus-Prime Problem
  Nack Ballard -- Sunday, 15 June 2014, at 12:07 a.m.
  • The Great Prime-versus-Prime Problem
    benf -- Sunday, 15 June 2014, at 4:25 a.m.
    • The Great Prime-versus-Prime Problem
      Nack Ballard -- Sunday, 15 June 2014, at 1:26 p.m.
      • The Great Prime-versus-Prime Problem - Solved
        benf -- Sunday, 15 June 2014, at 4:41 p.m.
  • The Great Prime-versus-Prime Problem - Solved
    David Presser -- Sunday, 15 June 2014, at 5:26 a.m.
  • Alternate solution
    Robert Chow -- Sunday, 15 June 2014, at 4:23 p.m.
  • Another problem
    Timothy Chow -- Monday, 16 June 2014, at 3:06 p.m.
  • The Great Prime-versus-Prime Problem, SOLUTIONs
    Nack Ballard -- Wednesday, 18 June 2014, at 6:24 a.m.