In 2012, at a gaming convention, a board game designer challenged mathematician Eric Harshbarger to create dice that would determine the starting player without the risk of a tie, aiming to expedite the game setup. Harshbarger, a senior lecturer at Auburn University and mathematician, embraced the challenge due to its intriguing nature.
After years of collaboration with computer scientists and mathematicians worldwide, Harshbarger and his team devised a set of four 12-sided dice that solved the problem for two, three, and four players. However, tackling the issue for five players proved to be more complex.
Despite knowing a mathematical solution was feasible, the challenge lay in translating it into physical dice. After brainstorming various theories and designs, a breakthrough came when an Australian researcher proposed using five 120-sided dice. Subsequently, a Canadian software engineer, Paul Meyer, contributed by discovering a solution using five 60-sided dice.
The meticulous process involved in finding the optimal dice design led to the creation of golf-ball-sized dice now available for purchase. While concerns about practicality persist, Harshbarger assures that the dice are mathematically fair, with any imperfections likely stemming from the manufacturing process.
Looking ahead, the research team, including Meyer, continues to explore the possibility of using fewer sides for five-player dice and expanding the concept to accommodate six players. Harshbarger acknowledges the unpredictability of the problem but finds the challenge and beauty of the mathematical intricacies compelling, driving their persistence in seeking innovative solutions.