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This is a game for two players, which can be played using the interactivity below. The default setting allows you to play against Computer 1 ('Capable Computer'), but if you click on the purple cog, you can change the settings and play against a friend or against Computer 2 ('Crafty Computer') or Computer 3 ('Champion Computer').
Rules of the game:
You will notice that you start with frog spawn on your side of the pond and as you place numbers that could be used to form your path to the other side, you'll see different stages of the frog life cycle illustrate how close you are to winning each column.
Depending on the previous moves made, it may not be possible to place all of the lily pads into the pond.
Can you develop a strategy that ensures you regularly beat 'Champion Computer' (Computer 3 in the settings menu)?
Further challenges:
Tea Cups, Nine Colours and Latin Numbers all offer different contexts in which to apply similar mathematical thinking.
This problem was inspired by Jorge Nuno Silva's presentation at the Big Internet Math-Off 2019. We are grateful to Jorge, who kindly gave NRICH his permission to publish our version of his game.
This practical challenge invites you to investigate the different squares you can make on a square geoboard or pegboard.