Question

this is related to the card problem from 'A Prime Obsession'
consider a pack of cards, slide the top card out as far as it will go without toppling, this is half way. How far will the second go? By considering the top 2 cards as one the total length is 1 and half, so balance point is 3/4. i.e slide it a quarter out. All good so far. Now what about the 3rd card. I calculate it to move 1/8 out but all other sources say 1/6. Could someone explain, its driving me nuts ** well i am already !

Answer 1

Does anyone have any ideas ? the book basically says to treat the card that is sliding as 1 card and halve the length the 'one' card to find the centre of mass.
Is that in fact correct for 3 cards?

Answer 2

sorted it thanks, for anyone interested you use moments of the cards above