Concept explainers
Stacking Spheres. In 2004, the journal Annals of Mathematics accepted a proof of the so-called Kepler Conjecture: that the most efficient way to pack spheres is in the shape of a square pyramid. The number N of balls in the stack is given by the polynomial equation
where x is the number of layers. A square pyramid with 3 layers is illustrated below. Find the number of oranges in a pyramid with 5 layers.
Source: The New York Times 4/6/04
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Developmental Mathematics (9th Edition)
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