Two Balls in a Pocket

Geometry Level 4

In a four-corner-pocket rectangular table, it is possible to deposit two balls simultaneously into the same corner pocket (as shown above). The diagram shows that one of the balls bounces off of a cushion once back to its target pocket.

Is it possible to achieve this for balls cushion-bouncing the same number of times, regardless of the table size?

Details and Assumptions:

  • Both balls and holes are treated as points on the table. No balls can exist at either corner of the table.
  • The angle of reflection is the angle of incidence.
  • No balls can be in contact a second time after the cue strike.
  • No spin is included before the cue strike.
No, it is impossible Yes, it is possible

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1 solution

Robert Spencer
Apr 18, 2018

From each point on the table, there is only one way to sink the ball for each number of bounces.

Could you please explain ...

A Former Brilliant Member - 2 years, 12 months ago

@Michael Huang I’m sorry, but could you refrase your question?

Bernardo Picão - 2 years, 4 months ago

Can't it be like the blue ball bounces off the right cushion and the red ball bounces off the bottom cushion?

Saya Suka - 1 year, 11 months ago

1 pending report

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