Annoying Puzzle

[moe.ron]

I was introduced to "Petals Around the Rose" by Dr. Richard Duke at the University of Michigan . Dr. Duke used to begin each of his gaming/simulation courses with this exercise. While some students would solve the problem right away, others would struggle all semester. It had taken Dr. Duke well over a year himself, and he would always explain that the smarter you were, the longer it took to figure it out.

The game is quite simple. Only a basic understanding of math is required and an open and creative mind. The game can be used as an example of how different people look at the world differently, and how these different ways of looking can yield different answers. In "Petals Around the Rose" there is always one correct answer. The problem is how we define the problem.

"Petals Around the Rose" is traditionally played with 5 six-sided dice. I developed this version using Macromedia Flash as both an exercise for me to learn Flash and as a way to share the game with the world. Let me know what you think!

Play The Game Here

[WCUgirl]

We used to play that game during summer camp in middle school. Except we called it "Polar bears around the icehole" and we played it w/ a deck of cards.

[sugar and spice]

I got it, but it took me a while.

I don't think how smart you are plays a role in how long it takes you to get, but I do think how educated you are will make it more or less difficult.

[SapphireSphinx9]

I got it on the second try. I did it a few more times to make sure I knew how to do it and not just "lucky"... hehe

eta: That'd be a fun game to use on game night.

[MSKKG]

Guess I'm pretty stupid because I got it on the 1st try. I've always said that I gave all my brain cells to my children--here's the proof!

[RedRoseSAI]

I got it on the first try. I don't understand the reasoning behind "the smarter you are, the longer it takes to figure out"...guess I'm not that smart!

[ms_gwyn]

i dont know how this game works....but I got it after a few tries

[valkyrie]

I really don't get it.

[norcalchick]

i got it once, but don't know how.

[preciousjeni]

For the love of mercy, someone PLEASE PM me with the solution. I can't take it anymore!!!!!

[adpialumcsuc]

I have been trying for a while now and can't get it. My head it starting to hurt now.

[amgn253]

I figured it out! I figured it out! Go me!

It took me about 5 minutes to catch on.

[ADPiSAI]

aahh, that took me forever to figure out!! that was really frustrating...

[kafromTN]

It wasn't that hard to figure out, I did it after looking rolling the dice 2 times.

[TigerLilly]

This is maddening!!! It's going to drive me crazy until I figure it out.