try counting the *different* energy levels of 10 (+) and 10 (-) electrostatic charges on the (overall neutral) dodecahedron. Cleaner than permanent magnets. and it's just counting... W. -----Original Message----- From: Ed Pegg Jr [mailto:ed@mathpuzzle.com] Sent: woensdag 3 maart 2004 17:47 To: math-fun Subject: Re: [math-fun] existence of the icosahedron Icosahedra? I don't think they exist. [I've been wanting to say that.] I have lately been playing around with strong spherical magnets. One figure that they can make is a very stable icosahedron (12 spheres). A study of the poles on these spheres reveals a very striking 3-fold rotational symmetry. I've been unsuccessful in making the skew cube out of spherical magnets, so far. The dodecahedron seems to be impossible. Several structures do work, and all of them have unexpected polar qualities, so far. --Ed Pegg Jr _______________________________________________ math-fun mailing list math-fun@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/math-fun =============================== This email is confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this email in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing, or copying of this email is strictly prohibited. You are explicitly requested to notify the sender of this email that the intended recipient was not reached.