The document describes a locker problem where there is a row of 100 lockers that are initially closed. Students then pass through the row, with the first student opening every locker, the second student toggling every second locker, the third every third locker, and so on up to the 100th student. It asks which lockers will remain open after each student passes through, provides the rule for determining this for any number of students and lockers, and asks which lockers were touched by only two or three students.
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Task: In a middle school, there is a row of 100 closed lockers numbered 1 to
100. A student goes through the row and opens every locker. A second
student goes through the row and for every second locker if it is closed, she
opens it and if it is open, she closes it. A third student does the same thing
for every third, a fourth for every fourth locker and so on, all the way to
the 100th locker. The goal of the problem is to determine which lockers will
be open at the end of the process.
Sample Questions:
In words, explain your thinking to the following problems clearly. Be sure to
use appropriate mathematical language and models:
Which lockers remain open after the 100th student has passed?
If there were 500 students and lockers, which lockers remain open after
the 500th student has passed?
If there were 1000 students and lockers, which lockers remain open
after the 1000th student has passed?
What is the rule for any number of students and lockers? Explain why
your rule works.
Which lockers were touched by only two students? How do you know?
Which lockers were touched by only three students? How do you know?
Which students touched both lockers 36 and 48?