536 Puzzles and Curious Problems

(Elliott) #1
212 Unclassified Puzzles

again. What is the lowest price it must cost him to join all the pieces together
so as to form an endless chain?

A new chain will cost him 36¢. What is the cheapest method of procedure?
Remember that the large and small links must run alternately.


  1. A SQUARE WITH FOUR PENNIES


Can you place four English pennies together so as to show a square? They
must all lie fiat on the table.


  1. SIMPLE ADDITION


Can you show that four added to six will make eleven?


  1. A CALENDAR PUZZLE


I have stated in my book Amusements in Mathematics that, under our
present calendar rules, the first day of a century can never fall on a Sunday or
a Wednesday or a Friday. As I have not given the proof, I am frequently asked
the reason why. I will try to explain the mystery in as simple a way as possible.



  1. THE FLY'S TOUR


I had a ribbon of paper, divided into squares on each side, as shown in the
illustration. I joined the two ends together to make a ring, which I threw on

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