John M. Flanigan <johnf@hawaii.edu> The equation is the final arbiter.
Math Resource Instructor --Werner Heisenberg
Kapi'olani Community College The scoreboard is the final arbiter.
Honolulu, Hawaii --Bill Walton
On Fri, 17 Jan 1997, Sam Evers wrote:
> I don't remember the technical name (or if there even is one), but
> I've heard this called the "hairy ball theorem". At least I think
> this is it. The theorem goes something like: If you have a ball with
> an infinite number of hairs covering the surface, it is impossible to
> "comb" the hairs so that none are perpendicular to the surface. At
> least one will always be perpendicular In it's more mathematical
> form, this is a theorem on vectors. In this form, the perpendicular
> hair is the house located at the north pole.
>
> On a similar note, we've heard the puzzle about the man who is hunting
> bear. He hikes 1 mile south, tracks a bear 1 mile east, loses the
> bear and returns 1 mile north to his camp only to find it ravaged by a
> second bear. What color were the bears? The puzzle appears the same,
> and technically it is the same. But mathematically, this scenario
> could take place somewhere besides the north pole. Where?
>
> Happy puzzling,
> Sam Evers
> Multimedia math
> University of Alabama
>
>
> ______________________________ Reply Separator
_________________________________
> Subject: riddle inside a riddle
> Author: Steve Kraisler <stevek@FORUM.SWARTHMORE.EDU> at smtp-link
> Date: 1/13/97 4:23 PM
>
>
> WHAT THEOREM OF CALCULUS IS ILLUSTRATED BY THIS PUZZLE?
>
>
>>
> "A man builds a rectangular house that has southern exposure on all four
> sides. Where does he live??
> Steve Kraisler Internet: stevek@forum.swarthmore.edu
> Mathematics Dept. stevek@icdc.com
> Edison High School Fidonet: steve_kraisler@f941.n273.z1.fidonet.org
> Philadelphia, PA 19140 Voice: (215)-324-9440 (X3390)
> Fax: (215)-242-9279
> WWW:
http://forum.swarthmore.edu/~stevek
>