2. Problem definition The Tower of Hanoi is a mathematical game or puzzle. It consists of three rods, and a number of disks of different sizes which can slide onto any rod. The puzzle starts with the disks in a neat stack in ascending order of size on one rod, the smallest at the top, thus making a conical shape. The objective of the puzzle is to move the entire stack to another rod, obeying the following rules: Only one disk may be moved at a time. Each move consists of taking the upper disk from one of the rods and sliding it onto another rod, on top of the other disks that may already be present on that rod. No disk may be placed on top of a smaller disk.

4. Some Applications Classical version Graphical representation Ants solve the problem Relaxed version Further research & References

5. Some applications

6. Some applications (Cont.) It is a 'smart' way of archiving an effective number of backups as well as the ability to go back over time The Tower of Hanoi is also used in psychological research on problem solving. The Tower of Hanoi is popular for teaching recursive algorithms to beginning programming students.

7. Some Applications Classical version Graphical representation Ants solve the problem Relaxed version Further research & References

8. Recursive solution

9. Correctness & optimality

10. Complexity

11. Some Applications Classical version Graphical representation Ants solve the problem Relaxed version Further research & References

12. Graphical representation

13. Graphical representation (Cont.)

14. Graphical representation (cont.)

15. Sierpinski triangle

16. Some Applications Classical version Graphical representation Ants solve the problem Relaxed version Further research & References

17. Ants solve the TOH (2010)

19. The results

20. Some Applications Classical version Graphical representation Ants solve the problem Relaxed version Further research & References

21. Relaxed definition

22. Running example of Poole’s algorithm Disk n Small(n-1)

23. Some definition

25. Poole’s algorithm (1992)

26. Complexity

31. A different strategy

32. A different strategy (Cont.)

33. Some Applications Classical version Graphical representation Ants solve the problem Relaxed version Further research & References

34. Further research

35. Further research (Cont.) While the shortest perfect-to-perfect sequence of moves had been found, we do not know what is such a sequence for transforming one given (legal) configuration to another given (legal) one, and what is its length? In particular, what is the length of the longest one among all shortest sequences of moves, over all pairs of initial and final configuration?

36. References Optimality of an Algorithm Solving the Tower of Hanoi Problem – Yefim Dinitz, Shay Solomon Optimization in a natural system: Argentine ants solve the Towers of Hanoi – Chris R.Raid, David J. T. Sumpter and Madeleine Beekman The Tower of Hanoi: A Bibliography - Paul K. Stockmeyer