Inertia Racetrack

Track 1 Track 2 Track 3 Track 4 Track 5 Track 6 Track 7 Track 8 Track 9 Track 10 Help
Blue racing car Orange racing car

Player 1

Player 2

0

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"A set of real life savers!!
Keep it up and thank you!"

Comment recorded on the 12 July 'Starter of the Day' page by Miss J Key, Farlingaye High School, Suffolk:

"Thanks very much for this one. We developed it into a whole lesson and I borrowed some hats from the drama department to add to the fun!"

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The classic problem of using two unmarked jugs to measure exactly a given quantity. The Transum version is interactive and awards a virtual trophy for each of the levels completed.

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Transum,

Monday, July 25, 2022

"Although Inertia Racetrack is a two-player game here is a suggestion for how to enjoy this activity as a one-player challenge. Use only the blue car (set the other car’s vector components to zeros or let it crash) and try to drive around the course using the minimum number of moves. Claim a trophy to record your achievement then try to improve on your personal best.

The best I have seen so far are:
Track 1: 13 moves
Track 2: 19 moves
Track 3: 30 moves
Track 4: 25 moves
Track 5: 33 moves
Track 6: 33 moves
Track 7: 38 moves
Track 8: 37 moves
Track 9: 40 moves
Track 10: 50 moves

If you manage to complete a track in a smaller number of moves please let me know by copying and pasting you list of ordered pairs into a comment on this page (link below)."

Alex Smyth, Perth

Monday, October 23, 2023

"Track 4: 25 Moves
[⭐, ⭐],[⭐, ⭐],[⭐, ⭐],[⭐, ⭐],[⭐, ⭐],[⭐, ⭐],[⭐, ⭐],[⭐, ⭐],[⭐, ⭐],[⭐, ⭐],[⭐, ⭐],[⭐, ⭐],[⭐, ⭐],[⭐, ⭐],[⭐, ⭐],[⭐, ⭐],[⭐, ⭐],[⭐, ⭐],[⭐, ⭐],[⭐, ⭐],[⭐, ⭐],[⭐, ⭐],[⭐, ⭐],[⭐, ⭐],[⭐, ⭐]

[Transum: Well done Alex for beating the previous record of 27 - I have hidden your route so as not to spoil the fun for others] "

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© Transum Mathematics :: This activity can be found online at:
www.Transum.org/go/?Num=556

Instructions

The objective of the game is to be the first player to get around the racetrack and reach the red FINISH line.

Each player adjusts the numbers on their race vector by clicking on one or more of the red buttons at the sides of their vectors. This only allow a maximum increment of one each time (this provides the notion of inertia).

When both players are happy with their settings the 'Run Vectors' button can be clicked.

Continue this process until at least one of the plays reaches the FINISH line.

This racetrack uses some futuristic technology that allows two racecars to occupy the same space at the same time - Amazing!

If the race is a draw try racing again on one of the other racetracks (levels). If one player is a clear winner a virtual trophy can be claimed by that player.

The titles Player 1 and Player 2 are editable so your names can be typed in.

Example race

The image above shows a typical race that the blue car wins. The orange car crashed due to over-enthusiastic inertia!

 

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