Solutions to the practice questions:

1. What important thing did Fibonacci write about in his book besides Fibonacci numbers?

Full credit answers (any of the following): The Hindu-Arabic numbers; How to use Arabic numbers; The decimal number system we use now; The numbers we use now instead of Roman numerals.

2. About when did Fibonacci live?

Full credit answers: About 1200 AD; During the height of the Arab empire; About the time of the cruisades.

3. Where did Fibonacci live?

Full credit answers: Pisa; Italy. Partial credit answers: In the Arab Empire. (this one is partial credit because he only studied there for a few years, he didn't live there for most of his life)

4. Where did Fibonacci learn about Hindu-Arabic numbers?

Full credit answers: Near Carthage; In an Arab trading city; In the Arab empire; From an Arab tutor/scholar; A city in on the north coast of Africa; Bougia (the name of the city); Algeria (the country the city is now in)

The quiz will also have 2-3 questions about the Fibonacci sequence of numbers. some questions I might ask are:

5. Write down the first 5 Fibonacci numbers.

1, 1, 2, 3, 5

6. Use F₁₈=2584 and F₁₉=4181 to find F₂₀ and F₁₇ (show your work)

F₂₀ = F₁₈ + F₁₉ = 2584 + 4181 = 6765

F₁₇ = F₁₉ - F₁₈ = 4181 - 2584 = 1597

7. Use F₁₅=610 and F₁₆=987 to find F₁₄ and F₁₇ (show your work)

F₁₄ = F₁₅ - F₁₄ = 987 - 610 = 377

F₁₇ = F₁₆ + F₁₅ = 987 + 610 = 1597

6. You should know the rules for Fibonacci NIM. If you have forgotten the rules, they are in the book on page 56 (the first paragraph under Fun and Games with Fibonacci). You should be able to answer simple questions like:

A. You go first in a game that starts with 23 counters. What is the largest number of counters you are allowed by the rules to take? 22 What is the smallest number of counters you are allowed by the rules to take? 1

B. You go first in a game that starts with 23 counters. Would it be a good idea to take 10 counters? No Why? Because the next person could take all of the remaining counters

C. In a game of Fibonacci NIM, your opponent just took 3 counters, and there are 16 counters left. What is the smallest number of counters you are allowed by the rules to take? 1 What is the largest number you are allowed to take? 6 Would it be good strategy to take the largest number of counters allowed? No, because the next person could take all of the remaining counters