Applying Group Theory to Peg Solitaire

Item

Title

Applying Group Theory to Peg Solitaire

Description

In this presentation, we will investigate the application of a branch of higher mathematics called group theory to peg solitaire. To play peg solitaire, a peg 'jumps' over an adjacent peg. The jumped peg is then removed from the board. The goal is to remove as many pegs from the board as possible, ideally all but one. We will use group theory to discover which holes are the sole possibilities for the last peg to be left at the end of the game. We will also explore algorithms for playing peg solitaire that guarantee only a single peg will remain. By studying the applications of group theory to seemingly simple games, we can gain a better appreciation of the beauty and uses of abstract mathematics.

Karen Stanish

Contributor

Keene State College

Creator

Lindsey Cioffi

Date

2017-10-11

Identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12088/8090

Subject

Mathematics

Type

Presentation

Rights

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Item sets

AEC 2017 School of Sciences and Social Sciences

Site pages

School of Sciences and Social Sciences