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The Second Book of Mathematical Puzzles and Diversions

The Second Book of Mathematical Puzzles and Diversions

The Second Book of Mathematical Puzzles and Diversions

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CHAPTER FIVE<br />

Nine Problems<br />

1. THE TWIDDLED BOLTS<br />

Two IDENTICAL BOLTS are placed together so that their helical<br />

grooves intermesh [Fig. 211. If you move the bolts around<br />

each other as you would twiddle your thumbs, holding each<br />

bolt firmly by the head so that it does not rotate <strong>and</strong> twiddling<br />

them in the direction shown, will the heads (a) move<br />

inward, (b) move outward, or (c) remain the same distance<br />

from each other? <strong>The</strong> problem should be solved without<br />

resorting to actual test.<br />

2. THE FLIGHT AROUND THE WORLD<br />

A GROUP <strong>of</strong> airplanes is based on a small isl<strong>and</strong>. <strong>The</strong> tank <strong>of</strong><br />

each plane holds just enough fuel to take it halfway around<br />

the world. Any desired amount <strong>of</strong> fuel can be transferred<br />

from the tank <strong>of</strong> one plane to the tank <strong>of</strong> another while the

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