Number of moves to solve Hard Pagoda puzzle.
Partial sums of
A111286. Binomial transform of (1,2,4,2,4,2,4 ....). -
Paul Barry, Feb 28 2003
Warren W. Kokko writes that this sequence also appears to give the number of scoring sequences for the Racer Dice Game with n dice. -
N. J. A. Sloane, Feb 24 2015
For n > 0, a(n) is the number of identical bowls having the same weight except for one which has a higher weight than the others which are identifiable by a weighing machine using n weighings.
Example: a(2)=9 because two weighings are sufficient:
Start with 9 bowls;
Step 1: remove 3 bowls => there are still 6 bowls;
Step 2: first weighing of 6 bowls (3 bowls on each side of the weighing machine);
Step 3: if the machine is in equilibrium, we find immediately the unknown bowl with a second weighing from the first 3 removing bowls. Else, we find immediately the unknown bowl with a second weighing from the 3 heaviest bowls.
Note: If the unknown bowl has a lower weight, the reasoning is the same, but it is necessary to know whether the unknown bowl is heavier or lighter.
In the general case, we always remove 3 bowls in step 1.
(End)
The number of ternary words of length n that avoid {11-2,22-1}. G.f. [1+(k-1)*x^2]/[1-k*x+(k-1)*x^2] at k=3. [Theorem 7.93 by Heubach and Mansour]. -
R. J. Mathar, May 22 2016
