Date: Wed, 01 Jan 1997 18:23:33
From: Alex Bogomolny
Dear Vivienne:
As I have mentioned 50% of all the configurations are unsolvable. The two you cite are of this sort. If, besides e-mail, you have a PPP acount, i.e. access to the Web, you can try my page
https://www.cut-the-knot.com/pythagoras/fifteen.shtml
There is the puzzle itself, its theory and history. In case you do not have access to the Web, I attach a theory file which is in the HTML format. This means it contains a lot of information that will hinder your reading for it's supposed to be read by a Web browser. Still, it might be better than nothing.
Any way, the two configurations have not been obtained by the backward sliding but rather by lifting the counters and putting them down at random locations. These two are unsolvable.
Sincerely,
Alexander Bogomolny
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