Did you solve it? How to enjoy straw mathematics
Earlier today I put these puzzles around the straw. Here they are again with solutions.
1. Lift
Here are three straws. Two connected to make the head V. In the picture below, V’s v against the other straw.
Using a fourth straw, can you find a way to raise all straw from the table? You are allowed to keep the fourth straw, but only the fourth straw is allowed to touch any of the other straw.
solution: Put the fourth straw between V and the other straw. It tends about the fifth, caught the other straw, and raised it all. Easier to show:
2. Straw columns
Place three cups as follows, where the distance between the edges of each cup is the straw length.
Using only the three straw, can you find a way to balance the fourth glass on the straw between the three glasses? Straw is not allowed to touch the table, and you can’t move glasses sites. The fourth glass should be equal to each other glasses.
solution
3. Three square
Twelve straws are organized in the pattern of the bodies and the intersection as follows.
Stir the straw one by one to create three squares. Each of these squares should consist of four straws, and there should be a strange straw that does not leave part of one of these squares. There is a clear (somewhat) way to do this at four moves. But can you do that in three?
solution
The insight here is the realization that the center square is not one of the final squares.
The solution “(fairly) is clear” that I referred to is to keep the four straw in its place, for example, to move the upper left straw to complete the right upper square, and the lower left straw to complete the right below. You can get a solution, which is a mirror image of the aforementioned planting solution.
I hope you enjoyed my puzzles today. I will return within two weeks.
Credits: 1. John Hutman. 2. Adapt to Edward de Bono. 3. Nation of fraud.
I have prepared a mystery here on Mondays since 2015. I have always been aware of the wonderful puzzles. If you want one suggestion, send me email.