I have a pencil that always rolls around on a slanted surface. One end is wider and heavier than the other. So whenever it rolls, it goes in a wide circle. Otherwise, the pencil is featureless, only becoming steadily wider towards one end.

The difference between the two diameters on the two ends is exactly 144 times smaller than the length of the pencil. If the pencil is pointing uphill on a slanted surface, how many times will it spin until it points downhill?

(In reply to re(4): Trying to be even more exact by Charlie)

OK so what are 'English units'? On the island we have 'Imperial' units eg feet and inches (1 inch =25.4mm) are these the same thing? I've heard the term 'English' being applied to snooker/pool balls to mean screw and also heard it in relation to muffins to differentiate between bread and cakes, but never in relation to units of measure.
Thanks in advance.

Posted by fwaff on 2004-02-24 11:02:30