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Puzzles:Pegs

   
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Started: 08/09/2010 03:49 PM
Picture: John Rowland
John RowlandNo presence information

Pegs

Which is the best fit? A square peg in a round hole or a round peg in a square hole.
Posted: 21/05/2013 04:15 PM
Picture: John Rowland
John RowlandNo presence information

Square peg in round hole of radius r. Cross Section Analysis: Area of Hole = (PI)rr, Length of side of peg = 2rCos45 = 2r/sqrt(2), Area of Peg = 2rr, Peg area % = 2/(PI) = 64%

Round peg of radius r in square hole. Cross Section Analysis: Area of Hole = 4rr, Area of Peg = (PI)rr, Peg area % = (PI)/4 = 79%

(rr = r squared)

In general terms a round peg in a square hole occupies more of the area of the hole than a square peg in a round hole.