Sunday, July 15, 2012

Arrangement of Cards

Here's a problem that will test your "layered thinking" ability. Give yourself about a minute to solve this puzzle.

Imagine that you have four kings and three queens from an ordinary deck of playing cards. (If you have access to a deck, the puzzle is more fun.)

The object of the game is to arrange the seven cards in an order that will result in an alternating pattern of K, Q, K, Q, K, Q, K. The seven cards must be held facedown. Move every other card, beginning with the first, to the bottom of the deck. Beginning with the second card, place every other card faceup on the table to reach the desired alternating pattern.

Remember, the first card goes to the bottom of the facedown pile, the second card goes faceup on the table, the third card goes to the bottom, the fourth card goes faceup, etc., until all seven are on the table.

What is the beginning arrangement of the cards?



Puzzle Answer

Answer:

Q, K. Q, Q, K. K, and K is the order that works.

No comments:

Post a Comment