The letter E can be constructed of rectangles one unit wide and unit squares as in the following:

+---------+
|         |
+--+------+
|  |
+--+--+
|  |><|
+--+--+
|  |
+--+------+
|         |
+---------+

Find the length of the top and bottom vertical rectangles such that the center of gravity of the letter is exactly at the center of the middle square.

When I first saw this I thought,  "Fine".

The first line sets up he visual construction.  Then a 'red herring' is  cleverly thrown in to find two lengths; issue, a 'moment of principles'! 

The system is 'unstable' because of the second and fourth squares in the  descender. 

I have a mass centred √2 from the designate C of G.

By that principle aforesaid, I need half a unit at 2√2 to balance. 

That sounds great, means that the extension will be 1/2 a unit!

I feel that there is something wrong with my logic as the 'c of g' of my addition happens to be halfway down the right side of my  addition.

     I'm tired!!

Edited on April 30, 2007, 10:08 am

Posted by brianjn on 2007-04-30 10:02:16