State Transition Table
GMAT glossary · Playbook
Definition
A compact table whose columns are steps and whose rows are ending states, so step X+1 fills only from legal incoming arrows at step X. This is the core method behind the Multi-Conditional Tracking trophy skill.
State Transition Table in plain English
Use a State Transition Table when choices on step X restrict step X+1 across 4 or more steps (the Multi-Conditional Tracking skill). Clues include no two consecutive days the same, A cannot immediately follow B, Yellow only after Green, or Red cannot repeat. Columns = steps; rows = current ending state. Fill X+1 only from legal incoming arrows at X, then sum the final column. Expanding full sequences branches exponentially; the table compresses history into the last state. If the restriction looks more than one step back, widen the state label until memory fits in one row key. Micro-example: 4 days, colors R/B, no two consecutive the same. Day-1 has 2 choices; each later day has 1 color different from yesterday. Table rows track ending color only.
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