• Obscure Math Problems
• Obsolete Band Instruments (particularly the ophicleide)
• Roy Orbison Facts
• Computer Junk, clear back to the Mark I
• The Ottoman Empire
• Silo Houses
• Public TV

• Alternate categories: Aquaculture, Pawn Shops, Victor Borge, Saxophones, Common Sense in Politics

• Dubya
• 2 to 5 Acre Lawns
• Ill-Mannered Teens
• The NRA Extremists

In the event you are not aware of the Great Pool Ball Problem (GPBP), let me tell you about it. The fifteen balls used in pool are numbered 1 to 15 and are commonly placed more or less at random in a triangular rack at the beginning of the game. The GPBP concerns the distance your finger would have to travel to touch each of the balls in numerical order given a specific physical arrangement of the balls. It is easy to see that the minimum distance your finger would have to travel is 14 units( one unit is equal to the diameter of a ball). This could be accomplished in any number of arrangements. The GPBP is "What is the maximum distance your finger could travel and what arrangement of the balls causes it?"

If you have an answer (I have an answer but would like to have independent verification and to hear about other approaches to solving the problem) please send me E-Mail. I am particularly interested in computer programs that solve the problem but any method of solution would be appreciated.

Send E-Mail bgeesa@dcwi.com

This page has been hit times.

URL=http://dcwi.com/~bgeesa/
April 14, 2001
Copyright © 1995-2001 Ben Geesa

Public Access Internet Provider