Math Circle: The Cookie Monster Problem

Curriculum

Students who have just learned to count can play with the Cookie Monster Problem, yet there is sufficient depth to engage graduate students,” says mathematician Gabriella Pinter in Inspiring Mathematics. Participants “experiment and practice unstructured problem solving, make up and test conjectures, and develop different strategies for the problem.”  Students may create their own algorithms and also test other algorithms including the Greedy Monster Algorithm, the Binary Algorithm, and the Least Jars Algorithm.

MATERIALS NEEDED – Students should come to this online class with 15 jars/cups labeled with the numbers 1-15 and also 120 cardboard cookies or other counters.