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Forum URL: http://www.cut-the-knot.org/cgi-bin/dcforum/forumctk.cgi
Forum Name: College math
Topic ID: 54
#0, Guessing a number < 1000
Posted by Joseph on Feb-08-01 at 11:44 PM
I can't seem to get this one!!
If I think of a number that is leass than 1000. Can you always guess it within no more than 10 guesses? When you guess, I will say either correct, answer is higher, or answer is lower. If you can always guess the answer tell how you would accomplish this.
Thanks for your time

#1, RE: Guessing a number < 1000
Posted by alexb on Feb-08-01 at 11:49 PM
In response to message #0
There's at least a couple of ways to accomplish the feat. One is demonstrated by the Number Guessing game.

The other depends on your ability to approximately halve a range of numbers.

- "Is your number less than 500?"

- "No"
(The number is between 500 & 1000)

- "Is it less than 750?"

- "Yes"
(The number is between 500 & 750)

- "Is it less than 625?"

Etc.