Vianna and the Three Toys
A gentle invitation into deeper thinking
One afternoon, I told Vianna’s father:
“Let me give her a few small toys.
24-point games: 5 6 6 9, 4 4 10 10.
If she solves these, I’ll give her the next one.”
Her father admitted honestly that he had already given up on the second set, 4 4 10 10, and passed the first two “toys” directly to her.
Soon after, he sent me the results.
Both solved. And quickly.
So I sent the third “toy”:
1 3 4 6
A long time passed.
Then a message arrived:
“Is 6 × 4 × 1³ allowed? Can we use exponents?”
“No need ☀️”
I added context:
This problem once appeared in the preface of a book written by a well-known computer hacker. It is not about difficulty, but about flexible thinking.
We confirmed:
Only +, −, ×, ÷.
Then the conversation went quiet again.
23:04 — Vianna’s solution arrived 😄😄
Vianna is in 8th grade. She enjoys badminton, mathematics, baking, and K-pop dance. She does well in school — and when gently invited, she can go deeper.
This was not about speed. Not about competition.
Just a few simple toys, some time, and a thought slowly becoming her own.