Re: reflections on a neglected problem

[Leigh Palmer <palmer@sfu.ca>]

> Palmer gave an interesting pair of limits for the charge ratio in the
> four charges on a square problem. I can see where the sqrt(2) came
> from. Is it easy to say where the sqrt(7) came from?
> Is it easy to show that the lower limit is the reciprocol of the upper?

                                                             -1
Yes. In general [sqrt(x+1) - sqrt(x)] = [sqrt(x+1) + sqrt(x)]
for x >= 0. Just cross multiply and see for yourself.

Leigh