Description

Write the numbers 1 through 6 in a horizontal row. You (Player A) will play against the "Fierce Wolf" (Player B). Each time it's your turn, you can take any number from the list, as long as at least one factor of that number is also in the list. You will get the number you choose, and the "Fierce Wolf" will get all factors of that number that are in the list.

Example

If you take the number 4, the "Fierce Wolf" will get the 1 and the 2, since they are factors of 4 that are still in the list.

The "Fierce Wolf" must get at least one number each time, which means you cannot choose a number if none of its factors are available in the list. The game ends when no number in the list has remaining factors. At that point, the "Fierce Wolf" keeps all the numbers remaining in the list.

Variation

Try playing with the numbers 1 through 10 or 1 through 12.

Challenge

Can you find a winning strategy for any sequence of numbers?

Materials Needed

Paper and pencil.

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