Stacking Blocks

   
Recent changes
Table of contents
Links to this page
FRONT PAGE / INDEX

On the page about infinity we mention that there are things that go wrong if you rely on your intuition. This page describes one of them. You may also want to see the page where Cantor Visits Hilberts Hotel, or the Balls In Barrels page.

Introduction

Take a block about the size of a paperback book. Or a hardback book, or a brick. It doesn't really matter. If you try this for real you might want to use dominoes, CD cases, or something similar.

But start with a bunch of blocks.

Taking the first step

Now put the first block on a table with its edge lined up neatly. Push it gently out over the edge of the table, and get it as far out as you can.

How far can it go?

Most people guess, correctly, about half way.

So far so good.

Bit tricky, this ...

Now put two blocks, one on top of the other. Push the top one out until it's halfway off the bottom one, then start to push the pair of them together out until they can't go any further.

How far do they get?

Well, the combined centre of gravity can't go further than the edge of the table, so the second block ends up a quarter of the way off the table.

That means the top one is actually 3/4 off the table!

How far can we go?

The question now is this: If you're allowed any number of blocks, just how far can you get the top one hanging over the edge of the desk.

The answer may surprise you.


Contents

 

Links on this page

 
Site hosted by Colin and Rachel Wright:
  • Maths, Design, Juggling, Computing,
  • Embroidery, Proof-reading,
  • and other clever stuff.

Suggest a change ( <-- What does this mean?) / Send me email
Front Page / All pages by date / Site overview / Top of page

Universally Browser Friendly     Quotation from
Tim Berners-Lee
    Valid HTML 3.2!