Mathematics Problem Of the Week

Spring 2004

POW 7

Knot Funny!

Take 2 pieces of string and lay them parallel and horizontally on a table. Twist the 2 right ends X times.

Take the two bottom ends and twist those Y times down.

Take the two right most strands and twist those Z times. Tie the top two strands together and the bottom two strands together. What has to be true of X, Y, and Z so that the resulting mess is one long strand (rather than 2 intertwined loops)?

Due Friday, March 12^th at Noon.

Solutions should be submitted to Dr. Maegan Bos' mailbox in the Math office or sent via e-mail to mbos@stlawu.edu.

Presentation counts! The prize-winning entry will be selected from all correct submissions, based on the clarity, creativity and elegance of the solution.

Look for the SLU POW on the Web at http://it.stlawu.edu/~math/activities/