Henry Ernest Dudeney/Modern Puzzles/213 - The Six Pennies

Modern Puzzles by Henry Ernest Dudeney: $213$

The Six Pennies

Lay six pennies on the table, and arrange them as shown by the $6$ white circles in the diagram,

so that a seventh penny can be dropped into the centre and touch each of the other $6$.

It is required to get it exact, without any dependence on the eye.

In this case it is not allowed to lift any penny off the table, nor can any measuring or marking be employed.

However, you are allowed to slide the pennies after they have been placed on the table.

You require only the six pennies.

Also see

• Puzzles and Curious Problems by Henry Ernest Dudeney: $329$ - The Four Pennies

Sources

• 1926: Henry Ernest Dudeney: Modern Puzzles ... (previous) ... (next): Unclassified Problems: $213$. -- The Six Pennies
• 1968: Henry Ernest Dudeney: 536 Puzzles & Curious Problems ... (previous) ... (next): Geometrical Problems: Moving Counter Puzzles: $383$. The Six Pennies