Problem 261: Rum dumb
Now ye’ve all heard of the legendary “Blackbeard” and his exploits on the high seas. It’s said if old Ed Teach wasn’t “acquiring” treasure, he was burying it for safekeeping. Most of his swag was hidden on deserted islands, one of which is where our tale takes place.
In the late 1600s, Blackbeard and his crew landed at Murrells Inlet, S.C., to unload a few cases of rum that fate and good fortune brought their way. The pirates must have done more swigging than digging, however, because they set sail without one of their trusty mates. Two years later, they realized their error and returned to find 32 empty rum bottles and a skeleton dressed in weathered clothes.
If each bottle was 90% full, how long did the marooned sailor live if he drank exactly 4 oz. a day? Assume the containers are cylindrical, 4 in. in diameter and 8 in. in length, with a wall thickness of 1/8 in. For extra credit, what was this unfortunate crewman’s name?
Solution to problem 260 Extended Play, August 2002:
Winners Circle
Fun problem 259: Licorice whip lash July, 2002Total entries: 27
Number correct: 18 (66%)
Winner: Frank Nimblett, Cambridge, Mass.
Frank’s prize: TurboCAD V 8.0 from IMSI. With the latest version of TurboCAD, you can control layers, workplanes, views, lights, and cameras from a single palette. Features include and upgraded ACIS solid modeling engine, part tree that records entire history of 3D object creation and modification in an Explorer-like palette, assemble by facet, and applying light properties to any object.
(Note: In the Problem 259 solution, the moment of inertia I=mr2=20.99 slug-ft2. The ½ should have been omitted from the equation.)
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