Contents of the January/February 1996 issue of Quantum
Who Owns Roman Numerals?
by Steven Schwartzman
After all these years, youd think everyone would know how to write Roman numerals! What are the "rules"? Was there ever a time when they were followed strictly?
A Walk on the Swords Edge
by V. Meshcheryakov
Not only does the yogi walk along the blade of a sword, he "dismounts" with a somersault! How on earth does he do it?
The Orchard Problem
by Vladimir Jankovic
A classic problem: how does one plant as many trees as possible and still have a view through the trees? This article provides a solution to the general form of the problem.
The Wind in the Quicksilver
by Ivan Vorobyov
An explanation of a strange phenomenon: the backward flow of ions in mercury amalgams.
Kaleidoscope: Fluids and Gases on the Move
A grab-bag of questions, problems, and curious facts related to fluid dynamics.
At the Blackboard I: The Discriminant at Work
by Andrey Yegorov
How to extract information from the well-known conditions for the solvability of quadratic equations and inequalities in real numbers.
In the Lab: Behind the Mirror
by N. M. Rostovtsev
How to measure the thickness of a mirrors reflective layer.
Mathematical Surprises: The Magic of 3 x 3
by Martin Gardner
Variations on the lo shu (magic square), including a special challenge to Quantum readers.
At the Blackboard II: Shall We Light a Fire in the Fireplace?
by Victor Lange
Even though the internal energy of the air in our house wont change as a result?
Physics Contest: Focusing Fields
by Arthur Eisenkraft and Larry D. Kirkpatrick
Finding a magnetic field that can focus charged subatomic particles.
Math Investigations: Nonstandardly Continued Fractions
by George Berzsenyi
An infinite process that is worthy of at least a finite amount of attention.
Toy Store: Nesting Puzzles
by Vladimir Dubrovsky
From matryoshkas to the Tower of Hanoi and beyond.
by Paul Horwitz
A response to a recent Publishers Page editorial on the National Science Education Standards.
How Do You Figure?: Challenges in Physics and Math
Brainteasers: Just for the Fun of It!
Scientific crossword puzzle.
Answers, Hints & Solutions
Copyright © 1995 National
Science Teachers Association