Maths Masterclass: Strategy - or how a little bit of maths can outwit your opponent

Date: Monday 14 June 2010

Saturday 12th June saw the last of the four maths masterclasses for Years 5 and 6 mathematicians from St. Edmund's and local Primary Schools. The topic for the session was "Strategy ~ or how a little bit of maths can outwit your opponent"
 and it was run by Richard Austen, maths teacher and Second Master (deputy head) at St Edmund’s Junior School.

On arrival the children tackled a wide range of puzzles and strategy games as well as trying to get themselves out of a knotty problem that had been set for them. However, the main focus was on the best strategy to play the well know game, Shut the Box. They worked on their personal strategy but had to adapt several times through the morning as the rules subtly changed. They drew upon their knowledge of probability and dice to help refine their ideas and left with a sharper idea on how to defeat any challenger.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the morning was how the children were able to adapt their thinking, especially as the dice often seemed to have a mind of their own! They planned their strategy but changed their game play fit the situation.

The moral of the morning.... don't play any of the participants at Shut the Box unless you are a good loser!