Catch the Spirit of Mathematics Mathematics Investigations Challenge – Impossible Task or Not? 1.Materials needed: Eleven box nails, all the same size Block of wood 2.Challenge: Take one of the nails and nail into the center of the block of wood. Take the remaining ten nails and try and balance all ten nails on the head without touching anything other than the nail. 3.Solution? Did anyone find a way to solve this challenge?

Solution to the nail problem... Lay one nail on the table. Take another nail and lay it on the nail with the head close to the nail. Repeat process with seven more nails, alternating the direction the nails are pointing. Catch the Spirit of Mathematics

Solution to the nail problem... Take the 10 th nail and lay on top of the “structure” with the head of the nail at the the opposite end as the bottom nail. The top nail is what creates a “structure” that will hold together. Catch the Spirit of Mathematics

Solution to the nail problem... Carefully lift the “structure” and gradually let go of the top nail. Hold until the “structure” can balance on the nail you are holding. Catch the Spirit of Mathematics

Solution to the nail problem... Balance “structure” on the head of the nail. You will have to guess where the balancing center point is. It may take a few times to find the center of gravity for the “structure.” Catch the Spirit of Mathematics

Mathematics Investigations Challenge – Impossible Task or Not? 1.Materials needed: Eleven box nails, all the same size Block of wood 2.Challenge: Take one of the nails and nail into the center of the block of wood. Take the remaining ten nails and try and balance all ten nails on the head without touching anything other than the nail. 3.Solution? Did anyone find a way to solve this challenge?