Skip to main content
Log in

Packing of odd squares revisited

  • Published:
Journal of Geometry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

It is known that \(\sum \nolimits _{i =1}^\infty {1/ (2i+1)^2}={\pi ^2/8}-1\). We can ask what is the smallest \(\epsilon \ge 0\) such that all squares of sides 1 / 3, 1 / 5, 1 / 7,...can be packed into a rectangle of area \({\pi ^2/8}-1+\epsilon \). We show that the proof of Paulhus\('\) key Lemma for the best known result is false and we give new upper estimate \(\epsilon <4.43\times 10^{-10}\).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Bálint, V.: Two packing problems. Discrete Math. 178, 233–236 (1998)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  2. Bálint, V.: Small selection of old open packing problems. Pollack Period. Int. J. Eng. Inf. Sci. 1, 21–28 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Brass, P., Moser, W.O.J., Pach, J.: Research Problems in Discrete Geometry, pp. 121–122. Springer, New York (2005)

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  4. Croft, H.T., Falconer, K.J., Guy, R.K.: Unsolved Problems in Geometry, pp. 112–113. Springer, New York (1991)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  5. Jennings, D.: On packings of squares and rectangles. Discrete Math. 138, 293–300 (1995)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  6. Joós, A.: On packing of squares in a rectangle. In: Discrete Geometry Fest. Rényi Institute, Budapest (2017). https://www.renyi.hu//conferences/dgeofest/disgeofestabstracts.pdf

  7. Meir, A., Moser, L.: On packing of squares and cubes. J. Combin. Theory Ser. A 5, 126–134 (1968)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  8. Paulhus, M.M.: An algorithm for packing squares. J. Combin. Theory Ser. A 82, 147–157 (1997)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Antal Joós.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Bálint: Retired.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Joós, A., Bálint, V. Packing of odd squares revisited. J. Geom. 110, 10 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00022-018-0464-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00022-018-0464-9

Keywords

Mathematics Subject Classification

Navigation