CORRESPONDENCE

New Zealand Listener, Volume 3, Issue 66, 27 September 1940, Page 16

CORRESPONDENCE

R. Martin (Glen Afton): Writes to say that he now finds everyone was wrong about the length of the train. He asks us to cancel his first answer (1,540 feet) and substitute his considered opinion that the train was 328 36/73 feet long. The train problem will be discussed at more length in a reply to another correspondent. Meanwhile, R.M. can be told that we have forwarded his letter to P.J.Q. with the official blessing. These two puzzlers have decided to have at each other by mail direct, after the manner of S.G.E. and H.G.L., who have also exchanged much weighty comment this week. R.M. sent correct answers to four of the September 13 puzzles. H.G.L. (Taupo): Is mainly pre-occupied by S.G.E. and his importunities, but finds time to ask us, in common with several other correspondents, to print the working of W. Robinson's answer of 440 feet for ‘‘ Time for the Guard." There is still such a great deal of disagreement about this problem we are persuaded to do so: "The guard heard the bell 1 2/5 seconds after striking. He must have then been 1,540 feet from the bridge. He heard the final stroke (Continued on next page)

aumae _ (Continued from previous page) one. second after the clock struck. He must have then been 1,100 feet on the other side of the bridge. The total distance covered is 2,640 feet, which is half a mile. This distance was covered in 28 4/5 seconds, the time between 1 2/5 seconds and 30 1/5 seconds past 5 o’clock. ‘The engine passed under the bri 12 seconds after the guard heard the bell t, covering 1,100 feet. Therefore the difference between 1,100 feet and 1,540 feet, must be the length of the train = 440 feet."" And now, who quarrels with that? For general interest, H.G.L.’s latest query to §.G.E. is printed " without prejudice": "If three »isoceles triangles of different sizes, each having an angle of 120 degrees at the apex, are placed so that the three bases form a@ triangle, prove that their apices are then equidistant from one another." Mother of Two (Frankton): Thank you for your encouraging letter. We shall certainly make use of those problems. R.G. (Waihi): Sends correct answers to four of the September 13 puzzles, states 1,238 feet as length of the train, and becomes entangled with Move the Money. He complains of this problem that the wording was ambiguous, so that he could do it in two moves: shifting 7 and 8 to put one on each side of No. 1, and 5 and 6 to each side of number 3. Not so, R.G.! You cannot put 7 and 8 on either side of 1, without shifting 2 out of the way, which does not comply with the conditions. You will find if you watch them closely they are very strict. Lillian (Hawera): " Batik" is in the addenda to the Third Edition of "The Concise Oxford Dictionary.’"’ It is defined there as a ‘"‘ method of printing coloured designs on textiles by waxing the parts not to be dyed."’ The word comes from the Javanese. All correct for September 13. Glad you are managing to get to the post ce.