Problem of the Week
for Friday, October 8

Our imaginary deck of cards is still at the edge of the table.
Last week, a number of you figured out that the top card can be slid halfway and the second card one-quarter of the way.
Now that it is balanced perfectly, how far can you slide the third card?
Please include your reasoning.

Nicholas' Solution:

For the cards that have been slid, the weight overhanging the deck must equal the weight still resting on the deck. So when you slide 3 cards, there must be 1/2 of that weight, 1 1/2 cards, overhanging the deck and 1 1/2 cards on the deck. To the weight of 1 card which you already have overhanging the deck from the previous slide, you must add the weight of 1/2 card. You must distribute that 1/2 card weight among all 3 cards which are being moved. 1/2 X 1/3 = 1/6, so you must slide the third card 1/6 of a card length to be perfectly balanced.


An animated solution:


 

email answers to rmann@saintannsny.org