Rock and Roll

Worshipful natives are rolling a giant statue of me across their island. The statue rests on a slab, which rests on rollers that have a circumference of 1 meter each. How far forward will the slab have moved when the rollers have made 1 revolution?

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The slab will have moved forward 2 meters, not 1. If the slab were removed, 1 turn would advance the rollers 1 meter. If the rollers were held in place, 1 turn would advance the slab 1 meter. Combining the two motions means that 1 turn advances the slab 2 meters. See “The Famous ‘Wheel Question’.”

August 1, 2009January 21, 2013 | Puzzles