536 Puzzles and Curious Problems

(Elliott) #1

  1. THE WHEEL PUZZLE
    Place the numbers 1 to 19 in the
    19 circles, so that wherever there are
    three in a straight line they shall add
    up to 30. It is, of course, very easy.


Liquid Pouring Puzzles 149


  1. THE MAGIC HEXAGON


In the illustration it will be seen
how we have arranged the numbers
1 to 19 so that all the twelve lines of
three add up to 23. Six of these lines
are, of course, the six sides, and the
other six lines radiate from the center.
Can you find a different arrangement
that will still add up to 23 in all the
twelve directions? There is only one
such arrangement to be found.


  1. AT THE BROOK


In introducing liquid measuring puzzles in my book Amusements in Math-
ematics, I have said, "It is the general opinion that puzzles of this class can
only be solved by trial, but I think formulas can be constructed for the solu-
tion generally of certain related cases. It is a practically unexplored field for
investigation."
So far as I know, the hint has not been taken and the field is still unexplored,
so I recently took advantage of a little unexpected leisure to look into the
matter. The result, as I thought probable, was that I struck some new and
very interesting things. For example, let us take the simplest possible case of

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