I am currently taking a management class in the evenings. Next Wednesday I have to give a 2 minute presentation on how to do something. I was thinking maybe solve the Pyraminx. But then I'm wondering if it's possible to teach that given the two minute time constraint. What do you all think?

I would start out saying, first get the tips of the puzzle to match the colors directly touching them. Then turn these middle pieces so that each side has all three the same color. Then you are only left with only 6 pieces.

After this point, it may be tricky to explain the rest to a group that doesn't know. What are your thoughts? Do you think it could be done? I can bring diagrams and anything else to help me out.

-d

Sadly - I do not think two minutes is enough for the "general" population...

I think that's way too hard. I've recently taken a class on giving presentations myself and the biggest problem is picking a too hard subject for the time you're allocated. I think "tying your shoelaces" or "how to square a 2-digit number" (using the 23^2=26*20+3^2 trick [(a+b)(a-b)=a^2-b^2]) would be more appropriate - but even the latter might be too hard.
But the most important thing: rehearse your talk many times so you're not reading off a sheet of paper.

Why not try something simpler like a Floppy Cube?

I've been surprised how many people have trouble just learning how to make the cross in F2L - Not even considering proper placement! I think it's sort of like a math phobia. People think it's hard, so it becomes hard.

I agree. Solving a Pyraminx shouldn't be taught in 2 minutes. If you are open to suggestions about about teaching them how to add up all the numbers from 1 to 100 in less then 2 minutes. There is a whole story about this problem and I can't remember the names at the moment but the basic idea is that most want to do the following:

1+2 = 3
3+3 = 6
6+4 = 10
etc.

When there is a much easier way by doing this:

1+100 = 101
2+99 = 101
3+98 = 101
all the way to
50+51 = 101

As this point you see the problem has become 50x101 and the answer is 5050.

Here I googled the problem...
http://bit-player.org/wp-content/gaussfiles/gauss-snippets.html

Carl

Thanks for the input. I was thinking it would be pretty tough to do. I thought maybe someone knew of a super easy (for the general population) method of getting the last six pieces done.

Really though, the assignment is supposed to be about my job anyway, so I'll probably just cook up some corn chowder or something.

-d