Puzzle time!

Which is a better fit (i.e., results in less wasted space), a square peg in a round hole or a round peg in a square hole?

(From http://richardwiseman.wordpress.com/2011/08/12/its-the-friday-puzzle-123)

Question

Puzzle time!

Which is a better fit (i.e., results in less wasted space), a square peg in a round hole or a round peg in a square hole?

(From http://richardwiseman.wordpress.com/2011/08/12/its-the-friday-puzzle-123)

anonymous · Answer

oh I love puzzle time

sgvxfcbxvxv · Answer

circle

mimi_x3 · Answer

hmm.. a square peg in a round whole

mimi_x3 · Answer

hole*

anonymous · Answer

Puzzle time requires either a conceptual, logical, or numerical solution :D

anonymous · Answer

In any case, my calculations say the opposite is true (not that I'm necessarily right, this is part of why solutions are needed ;) )

mimi_x3 · Answer

what do yu mean by conceptual, logical or numerical solution ? So there's like working out for the puzzle ? Cant it be a guess lmao

anonymous · Answer

If lets say hole is of diameter 2d then radius d
area pi*d^2, now the square's diagonal must be 2d hence  side is sqrt2d
hence area should be 2d^2


Now when cirlce in square 
then 2d = square side 
diameter 2d and radius d 
pid^2 area of circle and 4d^2

4d^2 - pi d^2 < pi d^2 - 2d^2
4   - 3.14 < 3.14 - 2 
 .86                 < 1.14


circle in square

anonymous · Answer

i am the winner yaay yaay

akshay_budhkar · Answer

no i am the winner!

anonymous · Answer

It can't be a guess, no. In this case, conceptual, or logical solutions won't work, but in general they can be used at puzzle time.

mimi_x3 · Answer

lolss , i never realised maths is involved in the puzzle , gosh im stupid xDD

akshay_budhkar · Answer

hi dalvoron..
seeing you after long time..

anonymous · Answer

me too Hi dalvoron

anonymous · Answer

I think I should give it to Ishaan! I worked it out on the basis of percentage space wasted, but the question doesn't specifically ask for that. Well done!

anonymous · Answer

Also hi.

akshay_budhkar · Answer

where is ishaans answer?

anonymous · Answer

The post that starts with "If lets say hole is of diameter 2d then radius d"

akshay_budhkar · Answer

i cant see it!
wait i will reload

anonymous · Answer

isnt it
square in a round hole = 2/pi
peg in square hole = pi/4

akshay_budhkar · Answer

ya i got it
its d same i was replying
thank god you declared him the winner:)

anonymous · Answer

I mean:
ratio of square area to round hole area = 2/pi
ratio of circle area to square hole area = pi/4

anonymous · Answer

I think fiddlearound deserves a medal for that, good job!