SMRTR Science & EngineeringMay 31, 2026Medium

The Physics of the Block Stacking Problem

SMRTR summary

The block stacking problem asks how many blocks are needed for the top block to hang completely beyond a table's edge. Using center of mass calculations, just four identical blocks can achieve this. Each added block shifts the overhang further, following a mathematical pattern based on harmonic series.

SMRTR provides this summary for quick context. The original article belongs to Medium.

Read the original article
SMRTR Science & Engineering

Get the next batch of curated stories in your inbox.

This archive is built from SMRTR newsletter stories. Subscribe for hand-picked stories without the extra noise.

Science & EngineeringSep 21, 2025

Math puzzle: The four islands

The royal gridlock puzzle has stumped mathematicians and strategists alike for months. Four rival queens have divided their island kingdoms into precisely measured domains,...