Tag Archives: Mathigon

Two More Jugs

Here is another classic example of the three jug problem posed in the Mathigon Puzzle Calendars for 2017.

“How can I measure exactly 8 liters of water, using just one 11 liter and one 6 liter bucket?”

It is assumed you have unlimited access to water (the “third jug” of at least 17 liters).  You can only fill or empty the jugs, unless in poring from one jug to another you fill the receiving jug before emptying the poring jug.  (Hint: see the Three Jugs Problem.)

See Two More Jugs.

Max Angle Puzzle

Here is a familiar puzzle from the Mathigon Puzzle Calendars for 2021.

“Given a line and two points A and B, which point P on the line forms the largest angle APB?”

See the Max Angle Puzzle

An excellent application of the solution to this puzzle can be found at Numberphile, where Ben Sparks explains an optimal rugby goal-kicking strategy.

(Update 3/23/2023)  Solution Construction

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