§ 1. The Pigs

Problem. — Place twenty-four pigs in four sties so that, as you go round and round you may always find the number in each sty nearer to ten than the number in the last.

Answer. — Place 8 pigs in the first sty, 10 in the second, nothing in the third, and 6 in the fourth: 10 is nearer ten than 8; nothing is nearer ten than 10; 6 is nearer ten than nothing; and 8 is nearer ten than 6.

This problem is noticed by only two correspondents. Balbus says, “It certainly cannot be solved mathematically, nor do I see how to solve it by any verbal quibble.” Nolens Volens makes Her Radiancy change the direction of going round; and even then is obliged to add, “the Pig must be carried in front of her”!

§ 2. The Grurmstipths

Problem. — Omnibuses start from a certain point, both ways every 15 minutes. A traveler, starting on foot along with one of them, meets one in 12½ minutes: when will he be overtaken by one?

Answer. — In 6 1/4 minutes.

Solution. — Let “a” be the distance an omnibus goes in 15 minutes, and “x” the distance from the starting-point to where the traveler is overtaken. Since the omnibus met is due at the starting-point in 2½ minutes, it goes in that time as far as the traveler walks in 12½, i.e., it goes 5 times as fast. Now the overtaking omnibus is “a” behind the traveler when he start............