Path: utzoo!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!wuarchive!udel!brahms.udel.edu!conrad
From: conrad@brahms.udel.edu (Jon Conrad)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.games
Subject: Re: 3 in 3: Brute Force Method
Message-ID: <19282@brahms.udel.edu>
Date: 4 Mar 91 14:55:07 GMT
References: <cboLI6S00WB8083UcK@andrew.cmu.edu>
Organization: University of Delaware
Lines: 27

I'm in awe of the effort it took to write your program, but...

It isn't at all necessary.  This is in many ways the EASIEST of the
"door" puzzles.  You're using an atomic bomb to crack a walnut.

Note (if you want an alternative solution):





1.  There are 12 doors you can click on, and 12 perimeter doors.
2.  You are allowed 12 moves.
3.  Each perimeter door will flip when exactly ONE clickable door
    is clicked, in either open or closed position.
4.  Therefore, these are the 12 moves you need.
5.  List the doors you need to click when open, and the doors you need
    to click when closed.
6.  Make the moves you have listed.  Order doesn't matter too much,
    except that you mustn't cut yourself off from remaining moves.

I've solved this 3 times.  Each order of moves was a little different;
in no case did I need to calculate all possible moves.

Logic is a time- and labor-saving alternative to brute force!!

Jon Alan Conrad