Kathy found great joy in every day things. Math and games were two of her pleasures. To my astonishment, math was a game to Kathy. I can remember an evening when she and my middle school daughter mused over an intriguing homework problem. We were sitting around the table at a church dinner and the "Locker Problem" came up:
The high school has 1000 lockers. One student opens every locker door. Student 2 closes lockers 2, 4, 6 and so on to the end of the line. Student 3 changes the state of doors 3, 6, 9 etc.... (opens closed doors and closes open doors). Student 4 changes lockers 4, 8, 12 and so on until all 1000 students have had a turn. Which of the 1000 lockers are open when the game is over?
Kathy quickly saw a pattern in this problem. I, of course, can't remember what was obvious to her so quickly. But I do recall her delight. In fact, she mentioned this problem and the fun we had that night just recently. I will remember Kathy's joy.
Elizabeth Newman
Trinity '84
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.