For The Mathematically Inclined

For The Mathematically Inclined

Anil Saigal
07/07/2010

PROBLEM # 1
How many teams participate in the tournament (knockout) if 31 matches are totally played?

PROBLEM #2
In two decks of cards, what is the least amount of cards you must take to be *guaranteed* at least one four-of-a-kind?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please send your solutions to mr.asaigal@gmail.com.

Use Problem Solutions M-070810 as the subject line. Please include your full name in the text of the main message. Everyone with the right answer will be acknowledged in the next issue of Lokvani.

Please do not post your solution in Post Comments. No credit will be given for solutions not sent to anil@lokvani.com.

If you need clarification on any problem, please contact anil@lokvani.com.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Problems from 06/24/10

PROBLEM # 1

Haretown and Tortoiseville are 70 miles apart. A hare travels at 8 miles per hour from Haretown to Tortoiseville, while a tortoise travels at 2 miles per hour from Tortoiseville to Haretown. If both set out at the same time, how many miles will the hare have to travel before meeting the tortoise en route?

SOLUTION

56 miles.

PROBLEM #2

A cylinder 75 cm high has a circumference of 20 cm (Fig. 1). A string makes exactly 5 complete turns round the cylinder while its two ends touch the cylinder's top and bottom. How long is the string in cm?

SOLUTION

125 cm.

Congratulations to Kishore Balsara, Aseem Chandawarkar, Sophia Farooqui and Bipin Parekh, who were winners of the last set of puzzles.

You may also access this article through our web-site http://www.lokvani.com/

Fig. 1