The game of 15

Defeated by the weapon of

mathematics
Can they be transferred into each
other?
The index
• List the numbers in the order indicated by the arrows.
• For each number count the smaller numbers preceded by it.
• Their sum is called index.
Calculating the indices
The effect of shifting on the index
• Shifting within a row does not change the index.
• Shifting between rows changes the index by 0, 2, 4 or 6.
Can they be transferred into each
other?
• No, because the indices are of different parity.