Problem of the Week 1168

Linearizing the Circle

Solution

I received a couple of submissions claiming it was not possible. Stephen Morris found a solution that is similar to, but a little different than, mine.

Here is my solution:

The idea is to break a diameter into 5 segments. The middle segment is one of the needles. Each of the two segments bordering this first needle can be used to cover a semicircle on one side of the diameter.

[Back to Problem 1168]

© Copyright 2013 Stan Wagon. Reproduced with permission.


25 October 2013