The puzzle of little Bo-peep
Puzzle
While discussing the problem of
squaring an oblong, let us tell of a
practical experience which befell our
little friend Bo-Peep.
According to authorities on Mother Goose the carpenter who constructed the sheepfold for Miss Bo-Peep discovered that he could save two posts by making the fold square
instead of oblong. "Either way
would hold the same number of
sheep," said the clever mechanic,
"but the square thing is to have a
post for every sheep to tie to!"
How many sheep must there have
been in this famous flock?
Answer
Show answer
References
- Loyd, Sam [1914]. in Loyd, Sam, Jr.: Sam Loyd's Cyclopedia of 5000 Puzzles Tricks and Conundrums (in English). New York: Lamb Publishing company, page 54.
