In a gaming convention back in 2012, mathematician Eric Harshbarger was challenged by a board game designer to create a set of dice that could determine the starting player without the possibility of a tie. The aim was to streamline the process and swiftly kick off the game.
Harshbarger, a senior lecturer at Auburn University in Alabama, found the task appealing as it posed a non-trivial mathematical problem. After years of collaboration with computer scientists and mathematicians worldwide, Harshbarger and his team successfully devised a set of unique dice, known as the Go First Dice for five players, ensuring a fair and decisive outcome from a single roll.
Initially, the team developed a set of four 12-sided dice that efficiently resolved the issue for two, three, and four players. However, the challenge intensified when trying to accommodate five players. Through persistent efforts and innovative thinking, a breakthrough came when a researcher from Australia proposed using five 120-sided dice as a practical solution.
Subsequently, a Canadian software engineer named Paul Meyer joined the endeavor and made a significant breakthrough by suggesting the use of five 60-sided dice. This solution, verified by Harshbarger, marked a turning point in the project, showcasing the effectiveness of computational methods in solving complex mathematical puzzles.
While the Go First Dice are now available for purchase, some skepticism remains regarding their practical application. Harshbarger maintains confidence in the fairness of the dice design, attributing any discrepancies in outcomes to manufacturing imperfections rather than mathematical flaws.
Looking ahead, the research team, including Meyer, continues to explore potential enhancements to the dice set, such as reducing the number of sides for a five-player configuration and expanding the concept to accommodate six players. Despite the challenges, Harshbarger acknowledges the allure of such mathematical conundrums and remains open to unexpected breakthroughs that could further advance their work.