Think! McClane, think!
Changchao Joanna Su
SUNY Binghamton
Have you seen "Die Hard with a Vengeance"? In the movie, Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson were asked to solve a math puzzle in order to prevent a massive explosion in New York City. The message was "On the fountain there should be two jugs. Do you see them? A 5-gallon and a 3-gallon. Fill one of the jugs with exactly four gallons of water and place it on the scale, and the timer will stop. You must be precise, one ounce more or less will result in detonation. If you are still alive in five minutes, we will speak ..." Would you be able to halt the terror if you were Bruce? People in New York City certainly hope you are!
As the millennium draws to a close, these puzzles are raised to the next level. In the upcoming sequel, you are John McClane and here is the ultimatum: "In the second drawer on the left, you will find two candles. Each can be lit at both ends, and will burn for 60 minutes if lit at only one end. How can you measure exactly 45 minutes? You have ten minutes to solve the puzzle before we push the button."
Think! McClane, think!
Changchao Joanna Su is currently in the process of finishing up her doctoral dissertation titled "Homotopy Theory of Modules". She is a fellow in the "Preparing Future Faculty" program in the Department of Mathematical Sciences.
This talk is accessible at all levels.