Instructions for the Puzzle Tanks Test
Suppose
you have two tanks. The first tank holds 7-gallons and the second tank
holds 3-gallons. These are marked as "SIZE: 7" and "SIZE:
3" in the example. Above the tanks is an unlimited supply of Wonder
Juice. You can circle an arrow under the supply to fill up a tank. There
is also a tanker truck at the bottom. Your job is to get a certain amount
of juice into the truck. In the example the goal is 10-gallons, marked
as "GOAL: 10." By circling arrows you can empty the contents
of a tank into the truck, you can empty the contents of a tank back
into the unlimited supply at the top, or you can pour the contents of
one tank into the other tank. Today, you will solve a few problems.
For each one, I will write zero in each tank and the truck to indicate
that they are empty at the start of the problem. Then, each time you
circle one of the eight arrows, I will write numbers indicating how
many gallons of juice are now in tank 1, tank 2, and the truck.
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When
you circle this arrow:
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I
will fill the first tank (by writing a number in it):
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When
you circle this arrow:
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I
will pour the contents of the first tank into the second tank, until
the second tank is full (by writing numbers in each tank):
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When
you circle this arrow:
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I
will empty the contents of the first tank back into the unlimited
supply (by writing zero in tank 1):
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Each time you circle
an arrow, I will write numbers in tank 1, tank 2, and the truck to show
how much juice is in each one. Then, you should circle the next arrow.
Try to solve the problem using as few steps as possible.
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While you are playing the game, circle this button to see these instructions again: |
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While you are playing the game, circle this button to start the problem over again: |
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In a moment I will give you a blue pencil. Use this pencil to circle an arrow to tell me what to do. Also, please use this pencil to write numbers in tank 1, tank 2, and the truck to show how much juice you think will be in each one after I do what you asked. Then, I will do what you asked and use a red pencil to write numbers in tank 1, tank 2, and the truck to indicate how much juice is now in each one. Then, it's your turn again to circle an arrow and write numbers to show how much juice you think will be in each tank and the truck after I carry out your instructions. We'll keep working on a problem unitl you get the answer. We will work on a few problems.
REMEMBER: It is important to try to solve each problem using as few steps as possible.