Math Problems of the Month
OSU-Marion

November 2006

Try your hand at these problems. Each month I will post a few of my favorite math problems and puzzles. Some can be solved by algebra, some need some clever intuition, some need a little elbow grease. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Submit answers to Dr. Maharry in MR 370 or at maharry@math.ohio-state.edu.

I will post the names of those who submit correct solutions outside my door and on my web site.



  1. Conside the following shape cut from a circle and one quarter an an inscribed square. Divide the shape into two congruent shapes.Suare
  2.  

    Erich Friedman has come up with a number of polymino equations like the following.

               

    In other words, the two shapes on the left and the two shapes on the right can be arranged to make congruent larger shapes. For example,

    Try to prove the following equations:

     

    and

     




    Problems are taken from various sources on the web including:

    http://www.puzzles.com/PuzzlePlayground/PuzzlesHome.htm

    http://www.math.purdue.edu/pow/

    Marion Campus Weekly Problem Contest Spring 1981

    Challenging Math Problems Grinnell College 1986-1990