1. Tying up logs
An Investigation

2. This investigation involves tying up logs with rope
and trying to find the ‘best’ i.e. uses least rope,
way to tie up the logs depending on how many logs
have to be grouped together.
Rope
Logs
In each diagram find the length of rope needed to tie the logs together.
[The logs are all identical and have a diameter of 1 foot]
(i)
(ii)
Leave all your
answers in
terms of
(iii)
What length of rope would be needed for
5, 6 and 7 logs using the above arrangement?

3. A timber merchant is involved each day in tying up
thousands of logs before transporting them and he needs to consider
different arrangements for tying the logs.
Consider each arrangement below and work
out the length of rope needed to tie the logs.
(v) 4 logs
(iv) logs
(vi) 4 logs
(vii) 5 logs

4. (viii) 5 logs (ix) 6 logs (x) 6 logs (xi) 6 logs
So what is the best way of tying up
(i) 2 logs (ii) 3 logs
(iii) 4 logs (iv) 5 logs (v) 6 logs
Investigate tying up logs for larger numbers of logs using different arrangements.

5. Solutions Question Solution (i) (vii) (ii) (viii) (iii) (ix) (iv) (x)