A
alex_bell
Well I've got loads of these puzzles from a mailing list so here's one I enjoyed.
The answer is below but you will need to highlight the text to be able to read it.
The main part is this:
A circle is perfectly symmetrical, and in order to win, you must place a coin
in the diametrically opposite position on the table. So, if I put one in the
north-east corner, you put one south-west - the same distance from the edge,
etc.
The second part is:
The only way to ensure this strategy works is to go first - you have to be able
to place a coin in the center, in order to make it that you get the one spot
that is non-symmetrical.
You and I are playing a game. We've got a perfectly circular table, and an
unlimited supply of 10p pieces. We each take it in turns to place a coin on
the table, taking care that no coin overlaps another (touching is fine), and no
coin can stick out over the edge of the table. The first person to break
either of these rules loses. What strategy must you adopt in order to be
guaranteed to beat me every time?
The answer is below but you will need to highlight the text to be able to read it.
The main part is this:
A circle is perfectly symmetrical, and in order to win, you must place a coin
in the diametrically opposite position on the table. So, if I put one in the
north-east corner, you put one south-west - the same distance from the edge,
etc.
The second part is:
The only way to ensure this strategy works is to go first - you have to be able
to place a coin in the center, in order to make it that you get the one spot
that is non-symmetrical.