# Answers to Knot II explained — A Tangled Tale

> Chapter companion for A Tangled Tale by Lewis Carroll.

## What happens

This chapter provides solutions to two problems from Knot II: the Dinner Party Problem and the Lodgings Problem. The Dinner Party Problem asks how many guests the Governor of Kgovjni must invite given a set of relationships, with the answer being one. The Lodgings Problem involves finding which of four numbered houses minimizes the sum of distances to the other three, with the answer being No. 9. The chapter includes commentary on various submitted answers, highlighting errors and praising correct solutions.

## Themes in this chapter

### Mathematical Reasoning

The chapter focuses on solving mathematical puzzles involving genealogy and geometry, with detailed analysis of distances and logical deductions.

### Humor and Absurdity

The author uses playful and ironic commentary on incorrect answers, such as Galanthus Nivalis Major's insistence on two guests and the remonstrance from Scrutator.

## Character check-ins

### Balbus

Balbus is mentioned as the source of the statement that there are 20 doors on each side of the Square.

### Galanthus Nivalis Major

Galanthus Nivalis Major submitted an incorrect answer to the Dinner Party Problem, insisting on inviting two guests.

### Bradshaw of the Future

Bradshaw of the Future is praised for a full analytical solution to the Lodgings Problem and also submitted a genealogy for the Dinner Party Problem.

### Matthew Matticks

Matthew Matticks is commended for a neat and ingenious synthetic proof for the Lodgings Problem, though lacking analysis.

### Scrutator

Scrutator sent a remonstrance about Knot I, claiming it was no problem at all, but the author refutes this.

## Key lines

> The Governor of Kgovjni wants to give a very small dinner party, and invites his father's brother-in-law, his brother's father-in-law, his father-in-law's brother, and his brother-in-law's father. Find the number of guests.

The Governor of Kgovjni plans a small dinner party and invites four relatives with specific relationships. Determine how many guests there are.

_This is the Dinner Party Problem, with the answer being one guest._

> A Square has 20 doors on each side, which contains 21 equal parts. They are numbered all round, beginning at one corner. From which of the four, Nos. 9, 25, 52, 73, is the sum of the distances, to the other three, least?

A square has 20 doors per side, numbered consecutively around the perimeter starting from a corner. Which of the four houses numbered 9, 25, 52, and 73 has the smallest total distance to the other three?

_This is the Lodgings Problem, with the answer being No. 9._

## Links

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