Math Forum / Mathematics / Recreational Math / November 2005

Let P represent an n-sided polygon with side lengths 1,2,3,...,n and area A.
If A is to be an absolute maximum how should the sides be ordered around the
polygon?  Example: n = 4 and sides 1,2,3,4.  Which has the greatest
posssible area?  Is it the polygon with sides 1,2,3,4 or 1,3 ...

Many years ago, I came across a crossword puzzle about a family named
"Dunk," who owned a piece of land.  All of the answers were numbers to be
filled in by solving the clues.  I'm wondering if anyone might be able to
help me find that original puzzle, or help me find similar, ...

Wilibold Slavic -[1906--1970] born in Zagreb-,
was a reputed specialist in Probability Theory .
 Which was his name  (  after 1926  )  ?

A square ABCD is drawn with A at the bottom left corner, B at the top left corner, C at the top right corner and D at the bottom right corner.
Total area =10,000 square units.
E is on BC closer to B than to C
F is on CD closer to D than to C

Are there any really good websites to learn how to add say a list of 10
numbers in your head quickly?
-JLC

If the universe is connected, then the only
open and closed part is all or nothing.

Hoping someone can tell me what kind of problem the following is and
how it can be solved?
How to lay out a set of circles in a ring so that each circle is
touching its neighbours, no circles overlap and the circles can be of

...or something like that.  I remember my high school math teacher showing
me some such proof that seemed very logical but had a hidden flaw in it
(dividing by zero maybe?).  Anyway, does anyone know what I'm talking about
and have such a thing?

I don't want an answer to this (since this is from newscientist and a
small prize is given out)
I think the answer is not unique.
here is question:

WHAT IS THE CUBE ROOT OF INVENTORY?

In the newsgroup de.sci.mathematik the following
conjecture has been posted by Helmut Richter:
    Ist b>1 und k prim, so sind alle
    Primfaktoren <=k von b^k+1 auch

i tried to solve using algebra.
i named each segments as a, b, and c. a being the middle square, b is a
triangle branching off a, and c is the triangle with base with length
1.

Yes, math is dangerous and can cause a brain meltdown, or even worse, a
paradox in timespace, leading to the destruction of the universe.
Better give up math, math is more dangerous than high-explosives or
highly radioactive materials !

Suppose five friends A, B, C, D, E have a weekly evening
of poker in which they each start with $10 and play until
one player has won all the money (a gain of $40).
Their skills differ so that their respective probabilities of

115/0.75 what am I doing here? Am I finding 75% of 115?
also if I have 1,500 pounds but that is 25% of a total, how do i go
about finding the 75% if the total isn't given