Strips of Ten
The sum of the first five square numbers and the sum of the first 10 positive
integers both equal 55. That is,
12 + 22 + 32 + 42
+ 52 = 55,
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 9 + 10 = 55.
Can
you find a non‑overlapping arrangement of five squares with side lengths 1
through 5 such that the diagram can be completely covered by rectangular strips
measuring 1 × 1, 1 × 2, 1 × 3, …,
1 × 9, 1 × 10? (There are many ways to accomplish this. You
only need to find one.)
This brainteaser was
written by Derrick Niederman.