solution to bar-ilan math riddle #2

bar_ilan_game2.R

"000"
"00O"
"0O0"
"0OO"
"O0O"
"OO0"
"OOO"


series_length <- 42
series <- rep(T, series_length)
total_steps <- 0
paste0(c(series*1, "  <- (not counted)"), collapse = "")
while (sum(series) > 0){
  i <- series_length  # initialize to series length
  # make sure you are able to operate on series (game incomplete)
  not_moved <- T
  while ((i > 0) & (sum(series) > 0) & not_moved){
    # verify access by value (true)
    if (series[i]) {
      series[i] <- F # turn off value
      total_steps <- total_steps + 1 # count this as a step
      not_moved <- F # this is considered a move reset count
      # if not on edge, switch next value
      if (i < series_length){
        series[i+1] <- !series[i+1]
      }
      cat(paste0(c(series*1, "  (", total_steps, ")"), collapse = ""), "\n")
    } else {
      # if the current pointer is false, proceed left
      i <- i-1
    }
  }
}
paste0(c(series*1, "  <- (not counted)"), collapse = "")
cat(glue::glue("The total number of steps is {total_steps}"))