Many thanks to all who participated in this discussion.

I learned some new math, and a new way to use Excel and, all in all,
very much enjoyed the conversation.

We even managed to stay pretty much on topic!!

I am back to school tomorrow and will create packets of the
interesting methods for solving this problem and distribute them to
the math teachers. I have no doubt that any of them have the math
skills to solve this thing but with the number of students they have
to deal with, and since they must get so focused on what they are
teaching at the given moment, I have not had much feedback from them.

I would not want to be a classroom teacher. Whatever the pay it is
not enough. OTOH when I express admiration for those who have to face
a new group of dis-interested students every 60 minutes they usually
reply that they know that in 60 minutes those students will have moved
on where as I have my students ALL day for six to ten days in a row.

I suppose it is all in what you get used to.

Thanks again,

Errol Groff

Instructor, Machine Tool Department

H.H. Ellis Technical High School
643 Upper Maple Street
Danielson, CT 06239

New England Model Engineering Society
www.neme-s.org