Math question, probably simple

[Orrex]

Is there a relatively simple way to calculate how many circles of the same given diameter will fit inside a single larger circle?

If so, please share! Thanks!!

[Ptah]

1. This link might help:

http://mathworld.wolfram.com/CirclePacking.html





Solutions for the smallest diameter circles into which n unit-diameter circles can be packed have been proved optimal for n=1 through 10 (Kravitz 1967). The best known results are summarized in the following table, and the first few cases are illustrated above (Friedman).

[Orrex]

2. Excellent--thanks for the link!

I didn't even know how to google it.

[pokerfan]

6. Question

In the last figure, the last configuration shows a packing for six circles. Would not that configuration actually support a seventh circle?

[Ptah]

8. The next example in that series would be seven

[Tuesday Afternoon]

9. I think: yes

[HopeHoops]

3. It depends on how drunk you are.

[Orrex]

4. That's your answer for everything.

[Bake]

5. But it works!

It really does!

Bake

[HopeHoops]

7. Not everything - depends on how drunk I am.