Brain Teasers
Square or Round
Other
Other brain teasers don't fit into any other category, so they can be unique and challenging.Other
Why are manhole covers round and not square?
Hint
Think of what might happen if it was square.Answer
If it was square, you could turn so one corner is pointing up and one in the manhole then if you dropped it, it would fall in! A round cover can never fall in.Hide Hint Show Hint Hide Answer Show Answer
What Next?
View a Similar Brain Teaser...
If you become a registered user you can vote on this brain teaser, keep track of which ones you have seen, and even make your own.
Solve a Puzzle
Comments
cool, good thinking
actually, if you dropped it the way you describe it, it wouldn't fall in; it would catch on the corners. You would have to drop it on a diagonal through the hole with one of the flat sides of the square facing down. The square is widest at its diagonals.
Jan 04, 2002
Also an equilateral triangle couldn't fall in the hole
it not that reason for the manhole doors are mostly heavy i.e. bcoz to hold the loads for all vehicles and human etc. when it is to be pulled up easily and slided anywhere with less effort. more over the manhole has less area than the covering cap hence it won't fell down whether it is circle, square or even an equilateral triangle etc . when ever the sides are same of the polygon and it's area is greater than the manhole actual area it wont fall in. i am not a manhole repairer it's my logic and i am a computer engg.
There are 2 reasons acctually, the other being that it's easier for workmen to move, Because it is round it can be rolled!!
how about because the whole is round?
All common shapes will fall in the hole, including equilateral triangles, except for the circle. This is a common job interview question and there are many other good answers to it, such as: For any given area a circle has the smallest circumerance so that there will be less area around the edges to stick, a circle cover is easy to replace since you do not need to turn it until the sides line up, easy to roll as already noted, and of course not falling in on itself.
isnt this a trivia?
the hole could be bigger than the area of the lid.
There are 2 reasons acctually, the other being that it's easier for workmen to move, Because it is round it can be rolled!!
Anyone who has ever actually handled a manhole cover will tell you it is both very difficult and unsafe to roll them. They weigh from 150 to 300 pounds, depending upon diameter and thickness, but they will definately put a hurt on an errant leg or foot if they fall over. The easiest (and safest) way to move them is by sliding them with a hook inserted in one of the holes.
Anyone who has ever actually handled a manhole cover will tell you it is both very difficult and unsafe to roll them. They weigh from 150 to 300 pounds, depending upon diameter and thickness, but they will definately put a hurt on an errant leg or foot if they fall over. The easiest (and safest) way to move them is by sliding them with a hook inserted in one of the holes.
what is a manhole????
Well.. for those of you who don't know, this used to be a famous BCG Interview question
To post a comment, please create an account and sign in.
Follow Braingle!