---------- > From: Erik Reuter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > You have an infinite supply of cigarettes. You arrange N number of > cigarettes so that every cigarette touches every other cigarette; what > is the maximum possible N? > > ASSUMPTIONS: Cigarettes are 3 dimensional objects and have finite > size in every dimension; further, assume cigarettes are perfect right > cylinders of exact same size to an atomic level. You can assume the > cigarettes are "sticky" and will stay exactly where you put them. For > a cigarette to "touch" another, at least one atom has to be in direct > contact with one atom of the other cigarette, so for example, you can > NOT lay 4 cigarette's down flat on the table in a + (plus/cross) sign
6. Create an equalateral triangle with 3 cigs. Place cig 4 so it bisects one segment of the triangle and touches the other two segments where they meet, but staggered downward such that it touches the bisected segement lower than where it touches the other two. Place cig 5 similar to cig 4 but not necessarily bisecting a segment, placing it so that it touches two corners and the opposite segment (also staggered downward) , and lays atop segment 4 (touching it), so that there is one point between cig 4 and cig 5 that is perfectly level with the first three cigs. Place cig 6 similar to cigs 4, and five, having it go through the point that was level, between cigs 4 and 5. (sorry for the unclear discription).
