Answer:
Having been heard of by the local townspeople for your successful mission for King Domke, you have been approached by the local apothecary owner, Azriel. She wants you to go to the far side of Mount Sizemore to pick a rare herb that will help the local townspeople with an eye virus that has everyone's eyes weeping and sticking shut. The name of this herb is D. Catrina. The herb is at its height of potency when used on the fall equinox. This year the fall equinox is September 22. You must return the herbs to Azriel before September 22. Azriel sends you to the orphanage where it is said a young puzzle maker reveals truths through the solving of her puzzles. You head off to the orphanage.
Task A
Nala has made a puzzle. She takes a whole rectangle like the one below.
She cuts the whole into half.
Then she takes that half and cuts it in half.
Finally, she takes the small piece she cut and cuts that in half again. Now she has the pieces she wants.
How many of these small pieces can she put together to make the same size rectangle that she started with? Explain how you know.
If she had cut her small piece in half again, how many of those pieces would be needed to make the first rectangle?
What if she kept going? How would the pieces get smaller?
As you sit and watch Nala create the puzzle you requested, you lose track of time thinking of the possible rewards in store for you when you return. You look up to see Nala staring at you. You wonder what might be wrong. Yes? You ask. She puts out her hand and waits. What is it that she wants? Another child nearby tells you she asked for a lock of your hair. You grab a strand of hair and pull it out as quickly as possible. Nala takes your hair and ties the pieces of the puzzle into a bundle with your hair. She says to open the puzzle and solve it as the sun rises, and complete it before the sun reaches its apex the next day.
As you solve the puzzle of infinite pieces, you see a note taking shape. It reads, go to the oracle and give the note to her.
