Take a piece of paper and cut out a perfect circle with diameter 1 inch.

What is the diameter of the largest unaltered coin which may be passed through the hole without tearing it?

(Consider the coin to be very thin, and the paper to be very flexible and tear resistant, but not at all stretchy.)

(In reply to re: My 2 cents worth by Salil)

I think your "solution" violates the "not at all stretchy" provision of the problem statement, but that is just my possibly ignorant opinion. Perhaps the official solution will properly settle the question for us.

Posted by Richard on 2006-05-29 19:46:06