3.6 The Josephus problem is the following game: N people, numbered 1 to N, are sitting
in a circle. Starting at person 1, a hot potato is passed. After M passes, the person
holding the hot potato is eliminated, the circle closes ranks, and the game continues
with the person who was sitting after the eliminated person picking up the hot
potato. The last remaining person wins. Thus, if M = 0 and N = 5, players are
eliminated in order, and player 5 wins. IfM = 1 and N = 5, the order of elimination
is 2, 4, 1, 5.
Exercises 97
a. Write a program to solve the Josephus problem for general values of M and N.
Try to make your program as efficient as possible. Make sure you dispose of
cells.
b. What is the running time of your program?
 
 
View Solution
 
 
 
<< Back Next >>