|
|
|
It's a Puzzlement
Comparing Ages
by John P. Robertson![]()
Two people know their ages (in years) differ but don't know who is older. Neither is willing to divulge their age to the other or to a third party. Is there a way they can determine who is older? You can assume any necessary equipment is available, and that each will scrupulously follow any rules they agree to.
Mobius Strip
The puzzle was to cut a Mobius strip out of a book that had three "pages" (a front cover, a back cover, and one leaf in between). There are several methods that involve cutting a half-annulus from each "page" so that the ends of the half-annuli are along the binding, and they join to make one continuous loop. See accompanying diagram for a solution.
Robert S. Ballmer, Jon Evans, Bob Giambo, Alex Kozmin, Christopher S. Mosbo, David Uhland, and Michael Ziniti solved the puzzle.