Tower of Hanoi

English

A model set of the Tower of Hanoi (with 8 disks)

An animated solution of the Tower of Hanoi puzzle for T(4,3).

Proper noun

Tower of Hanoi

1. A mathematical puzzle or game which consists of three rods, and a number of disks of different sizes that can slide onto any rod. The aim is to transfer a stack of disks, one move at a time, to a different rod, while never allowing a larger disk to be on top of a small one.
   • 2019, Adrian Tchaikovsky, Children of Ruin, Macmillan, page 153:

     Senkovi felt as though he was […] playing some odd Tower of Hanoi game where to progress he was constantly moving pieces backwards.

Further reading

• Tower of Hanoi on Wikipedia.Wikipedia