Fiddler on the Proof

Fiddler on the Proof

Home
Notes
Archive
About
Can You Squeeze the Bubbles?
You draw seven circles, one at a time. Each new circle’s center can’t be inside any of the previously drawn circles. How small can their combined area…
 • 
Zach Wissner-Gross
36
Can You Weave the Web?
A spider randomly picks two points within a square, connects them with silk, and extends the connection to the square's edges. Which points are most…
 • 
Zach Wissner-Gross
8
How Long Is the River?
Sometimes, everything just lines up. Even the spaces on a massive page of text.
 • 
Zach Wissner-Gross
20
Can You Permeate the Pyramid?
How many paths can you find down a pyramid? (Okay, it’s really a rhombus.) What about a bipyramid? (Yes, it’s really a bipyramid.)
 • 
Zach Wissner-Gross
7
Can You Sweep the Series?
A famous sports personality recently commented that winning a best-of-seven series in five games is closer to a sweep than going to seven games. But…
 • 
Zach Wissner-Gross
9
How Many Rides Can You Reserve?
After booking three rides at a theme park, you can reserve one additional ride after each one you complete. On average, how many rides will you complete…
 • 
Zach Wissner-Gross
20
Can You See Between the Trees?
You are peering between trees positioned on an infinite grid. Where are the largest gaps between them that you can see?
 • 
Zach Wissner-Gross
19
Can You Throw the Hammer?
Welcome to Fiddler on the Proof!
 • 
Zach Wissner-Gross
12
Can You Grow a Hibiscus Hedge?
You’re planting a row of colorful flowers. If you want the colors to appear random-ish, what’s the longest row you can plant?
 • 
Zach Wissner-Gross
20
Fiddler on the Proof
Fiddler on the Proof
The place for mathematical puzzles and the puzzling community. Two new puzzles every Friday morning!
Recommendations
X's Puzzle Corner
X's Puzzle Corner
Xavier Durawa
Pershmail
Pershmail
Michael Pershan

Fiddler on the Proof

AboutArchiveRecommendationsSitemap
© 2025 Zach Wissner-Gross
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture