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Problem 20 · The Defect’s 100th OrbPrint one blank worksheet now, or prepare a family or classroom packet.

Problem 20

The Defect’s 100th Orb

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The Defect’s 100th Orb

Earn one jewelIndicoliteLevel 3

The problem

In the game Slay the Spire, the Defect uses Orbs. For this puzzle, three full Orb slots are shown from left to right. When the slots are full, a new Orb enters on the left. The Orb on the right is Evoked and leaves; the other two Orbs shift right. The starting slots are Dark, Frost, Lightning. The Defect repeatedly channels Lightning, Frost, Dark, then repeats.

Starting slots

New Orb
Dark Frost Lightning
Evoked Orb
Repeated channel order: Lightning Frost Dark

Questions

On separate paper, record the first three slot states and your shortcut to channel 100.

  1. After the Defect channels Lightning, Frost, and Dark once, which Orbs were Evoked, in order? What is now in the three slots?

  2. The Defect keeps repeating the same channel order. Which Orb is Evoked on the 100th channel? Explain without drawing all 100 channels.

How did it feel?

Pick the option that best matches this challenge. Recommendations use topic, math area, grade, story, and thinking challenge.

Keep exploring

Slay the Spire challenge 3 of 4

Full rating evidence

Difficulty & skills

Designed for Grade 3 · Uses Early Grade 3 math · About 3–8 minutes

Grade 3 · Patterns and algebra · Sequences

MJ 3.1 · C3 · W1

MathJewels rates content readiness, problem-solving challenge, and workload separately. These estimates describe the easiest reasonable solution path and do not reveal the solution.

Content level

MJ 3.1

Grades 3–5

Grade 3 progression · point 1

Likely range
MJ 3.0–3.2
Confidence
86%

Challenge

C3 · Stretch

A nontrivial plan using familiar mathematical ideas.

  • Method selection2
  • Reasoning depth2
  • Novelty2
  • Constraint management1
  • Proof or justification1

Workload

W1 · Light

A short response with only a few steps.

Active time
3–8 minutes · typically 5
Response
Short Explanation
Known-method steps
5
  • Mechanical execution1
  • Written output1
  • Representation production1
  • Bookkeeping1

Learning focus

Skills this problem practices

What a successful response demonstrates, with each skill’s share of the content rating.

  • Identify a position in a repeating cycle

    Use the length and order of a repeating cycle to determine the element at a later numbered position without listing every preceding element.

    • Developing mastery
    • 100% focus
    • MJ 3.1 milestone

Readiness

Helpful prerequisites

Skills the rating assumes are already available to the learner.

  • Multiply equal groups

    Represent and solve whole-number situations made from equal groups, including choosing and evaluating a multiplication equation.

    • Developing readiness
    • Required
    • MJ 2.8 milestone