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Problem Solving Strategies: Work Backwards

A certain machine has a numerical display and two buttons: a "plus 1" button and a "times 2" button. Pressing a button performs that operation on the number that is currently displayed, and then immediately updates the display. If the display shows the number 1 at the start, what is the fewest number of button-presses we need to get the display to show 200?

Some problems are challenging because we know where we would like to end up, but it might not be clear where we should begin or what process we should follow to get from the start to the finish. In cases like this, rather than muddle our way through from the beginning, it can be helpful to instead work backwards from the desired ending state.

This is the fourth of four math workshops in the Problem Solving Strategies Series. Each workshop in the series introduces a helpful strategy for tackling unfamiliar problems, and offers participants the opportunity to explore mathematical puzzles that have been curated to highlight the theme strategy. Participants can experiment with using the theme strategy, discuss different approaches, and gain confidence with technique.

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Workshop Schedule

This workshop meets for four 60-minute remote (Zoom) ​sessions.

Please choose either the July workshop or the August workshop:

• July Workshop (2 / 6 seats available): Tuesday - Friday, July 27 - 30, 1:00 - 2:30 PM PST
• August Workshop (3 / 6 seats available): Monday - Thursday, August 23 - 26, 10:30 - 11:30 AM PST

​Cost $300

​We are happy to offer discounted pricing to families who enroll in multiple activities during Summer 2021. Please reach out using the contact form on this page for information.

Please also reach out if price is a barrier to your family's participation. Our hope is to make these experiences available to as many students as possible!

About Mathematics Workshops

Mathematics workshops focus on the joy of exploration and discovery. No specific mathematical experience is required. 

Workshop content will generally target middle- and high-school mathematics concepts, though the puzzles and problems we explore can scale up or down to meet a variety of challenge levels.

You are welcome to use the contact form on this page to reach out with questions about whether a certain math workshop is right for your student.

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