Question 1042074
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This is a problem in minimizing a perimeter given an area.  For a rectangular figure, the smallest perimeter for a given area is a square.  So, in order to minimize the number of tacks, you need to arrange the pictures in a shape as close to a square as possible.  36 of the pictures make a 6 X 6 square, which takes 7 rows of 7 tacks to hit every corner, then you make another row of 5 pictures along any side of the 6 X 6 array and you add another 6 tacks.  Total of 55.


John
*[tex \LARGE e^{i\pi}\ +\ 1\ =\ 0]
My calculator said it, I believe it, that settles it
<img src="http://c0rk.blogs.com/gr0undzer0/darwin-fish.jpg">
*[tex \Large \ \
*[tex \LARGE \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \  

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