Problem 8. (The Plane Problem)

There are two parts to this problem. The first part is not awfully difficult but if you can solve the second part, you are very smart indeed! We don't really expect anyone to get the answer, but if anyone does, we would really like to know this person.

• What is the maximum number of parts you can subdivide the plane by n lines, for n = 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 lines ?

• What is the general formula for the maximum number of parts you can subdivide a plane by n lines ?

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Last modified on Monday, February 08, 1999