A puzzle for pirates

Article Abstract:

A puzzle involving 10 pirates who wish to divide a loot of 100 pieces of gold is presented. The pirates use a democratic method of deciding how to divide the loot, with the fiercest making the proposal. Each pirate faces the problem of making a proposal that would allow him to get the most gold.

Tests, problems and exercises, Column, Mathematics, Puzzles

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Sierpinski's ubiquitous gasket

Article Abstract:

The solution to Sierpinski's gasket is presented. Mathematician Waclaw Sierpinski devised the mathematical puzzle in 1915 by splitting an equilateral triangle into four triangles and connecting the triangle's midpoints. The central triangle is removed and the procedure is repeated again.

Scientific recreations

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Shedding a little darkness

Article Abstract:

A mathematical recreation involving two people in a room with perfectly reflecting walls in which one is holding a lit match is examined. The problem was likely first proposed in the 1950's and the proof first appeared in the Dec 1995 issue of American Mathematical Monthly.

Reflectance

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