Problem 8: Lockers

Heuristics to highlight

Act it out, Consider a simpler problem (smaller numbers), Look for patterns, Restate the problem in another way, Make a systematic list.

The new school has exactly 343 lockers numbered 1 to 343, and exactly 343 students. On the first day of school, the students meet outside the building and agree on the following plan. The first student will enter the school and open all the lockers. The second student will then enter the school and close every locker with an even number. The third student will then ‘reverse’ every third locker; i.e. if the locker is closed, he will open it, and if the locker is open, he will close it. The fourth student will reverse every fourth locker, and so on until all 343 students in turn have entered the building and reversed the relevant lockers. Which lockers will finally remain open?



Suitable hints for Pólya Stages I, II and IV


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