wu :: forums - Print Page


    
      
        wu :: forums
        (http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~wwu/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        riddles >> easy >> The Bricks of the Hall of Math
        
(Message started by: rloginunix on Feb 28^th, 2015, 8:26pm)

Title: The Bricks of the Hall of Math
Post by rloginunix on Feb 28^th, 2015, 8:26pm

The Bricks of the Hall of Math.

Willy Wu is building a new math lecture hall using regular rectangular prism-shaped same size solid bricks. During the construction process the need arose to obtain the length of the diagonal of these bricks.

How can this be done with a ruler in a single measurement?

(The integrity of the brick(s) can not be violated)

Title: Re: The Bricks of the Hall of Math
Post by pex on Feb 28^th, 2015, 8:48pm

Can't you just do this? (See attachment.)

Title: Re: The Bricks of the Hall of Math
Post by rloginunix on Mar 1^st, 2015, 10:17am

You must have done this before, :)

Yes, that is correct. I am thinking now the method you described will work not only for right rectangular prisms but for the oblique (skewed) ones as well.