To determine who will lose the game, we can simulate the turns and analyze the strategy.
We start with 7 marbles. Since Tom goes first, he has the advantage of making the initial move.
1. Tom takes 1 marble. Remaining marbles = 6.
2. Burt takes 2 marbles. Remaining marbles = 4.
3. Tom takes 1 marble. Remaining marbles = 3.
4. Burt takes 2 marbles. Remaining marbles = 1.
5. Tom takes the remaining marble.
Based on this simulation, Tom wins the game.
To solve this kind of problem, we can use the concept of "nim-sum". The nim-sum of the pile of marbles is calculated by finding the XOR (^) of the number of marbles at each turn.
In this case, the nim-sum can be calculated as follows:
nim-sum = 7 ^ 6 ^ 3 ^ 1 = 1
If the nim-sum is equal to 0, then the person who starts the game will lose. Otherwise, the person who starts will win.
Since the nim-sum of 1 is not equal to 0, Tom will win the game.
Therefore, Tom will be the winner in this game if both players make the best possible moves.