# Answers to Knot V explained — A Tangled Tale

> Chapter companion for A Tangled Tale by Lewis Carroll.

## What happens

This chapter presents the solution to a puzzle about marking pictures with crosses and oughts, aiming to minimize the number of pictures marked while maximizing the total marks. The answer is 10 pictures with 29 marks, arranged in a specific pattern. The author reviews submitted answers, criticizing those that ignore the conditions, and provides a class list of solvers.

## Themes in this chapter

### Mathematical Reasoning

The chapter focuses on solving a combinatorial optimization problem involving marks and pictures.

### Humor and Absurdity

The author's playful criticism of solvers' errors and the whimsical tone (e.g., 'bloodless phantoms') add humor.

### Social Critique

The author critiques the quality of submitted answers and the anonymity of correspondents, reflecting on intellectual rigor.

## Character check-ins

### Guy

Listed in the class list as a solver.

### Matthew Matticks

Listed in the class list as 'Old Cat'.

### Bradshaw of the Future

Listed in the class list as a solver.

### Ayr

Listed in the class list as a solver.

### Jack-a-Minory

Referenced in a comparison to a nursery tale.

## Key lines

> C. H. begins with the rash assertion that under the given conditions 'the sum is impossible. For,' he or she adds (these initialed correspondents are dismally vague beings to deal with: perhaps 'it' would be a better pronoun), '10 is the least possible number of pictures' (granted): 'therefore we must either give 2 ×’s to 6, or 2 ○’s to 5.' Why 'must,' oh alphabetical phantom?

C. H. rashly claims the puzzle is impossible, arguing that since 10 pictures are the minimum, we must assign 2 crosses to 6 pictures or 2 circles to 5. The author mocks this reasoning, questioning the necessity.

_The author humorously criticizes a solver's flawed logic._

> I. E. A. (I am happy to say that none of these bloodless phantoms appear this time in the class-list. Is it Idea with the D left out?) gives 2 ×’s to 6 pictures. She then takes me to task for using the word 'ought' instead of 'nought.'

I. E. A. assigns 2 crosses to 6 pictures and criticizes the author for using 'ought' instead of 'nought.' The author retorts with a playful etymology of 'adder' and 'nought.'

_The author defends his word choice with a linguistic anecdote._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_tangled_tale_se/chapters/answers-to-knot-v
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_tangled_tale_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_tangled_tale_se/chapters