Name_________________________________Class Code_______

Weekly  Challenge
December 8-12, 2003
dreidl

During Hanukkah, children play a game called dreidl.  The players spin a four sided top and receive a pile of chocolate coins (or raisins or real money) if they win.  Depending on how the top lands, the player either takes all the coins, none of the coins, replaces half of the coins, or takes half of the coins.  Suppose there are two players with 16 coins in the pile and the dreidl always lands on take half.

How many turns will it take for the pile to disappear?  _________
How many coins will the first player have?_________
How many coins will the second player have?__________

Note:  When there is only one coin left in the pile and player spins take half, the player takes the last coin and the game ends.