This puzzle applet is an addicting game that allows one to move 15 squares around a rectangle with a 16 square surface. Each square is numbered and one square is left blank. Squares can only be moved into the open space if they are directly next to it. Squares can be moved simply by clicking on them once. The object of the puzzle is to organize the squares in numerical order beginning with the square numbered one in the top left corner of the applet rectangle.
This puzzle applet definitely requires the person using it to use their problem solving skills. One must determine a strategy in moving the squares to their assigned places. Students would be required to recognize the movement patterns and develop a plan of attack for solving this challenging puzzle. Therefore, this puzzle applet has a high educational value as it forces students to use critical thinking skills to determine strategies and recognize the movement patterns of the puzzle. In turn, students problem solving skills are constantly being tested and improved.
There are many uses that this puzzle applet could serve. For example, if a teacher was doing a unit on problem solving skills, this puzzle would be extremely appropriate. Students could be asked to attempt to solve the puzzle and write down their strategies and plan of attack. They should be able to describe and recognize the steps it took them to solve the puzzle as well as the reasons for the successes and failures that they encountered. As an extension, they could be asked to complare these strategies with strategies they have used to solve various other difficult problems. Another possible use for this puzzle deals with transformational geometry. When discussing translations or "slides", solving this puzzle could be a great activity to show the effects of these specific transformations. With every move students could be asked to describe the translation that they used by including the direction and angle of each movement.
Latest update to this document: 8 November 2000
Leigh Dalton: ldalton@nmu.edu