Wishing you a Happy New Year. A series of mathematics papers that finally proved a century-old theory has been heralded as the scientific breakthrough of 2006. The award from journal Science is handed to a number of authors who helped to validate the elusive Poincare theorem. First proposed by French scientist Henri Poincare in 1904, the theory about ‘rubbery sheet geometry’ and surfaces that can be stretched remained in the ether until reclusive mathematician Grigori Perelman published the first of three papers on the subject in 2002. The Russian abruptly discontinued his research a year later, and it took his peers more than three years to catch up and complete his work by filling in the gaps. The global mathematics community universally concluded that Mr Perelman had not only proved the Poincare theorem but also alluded to something more ambitious.

Puzzle:1In the comedy Ghosts in the White House currently running at Summerset’s Little Theatre, a different Presidential ghost provides much of the laughter in each of the play’s six scenes. Each Oval Office spectre is played by a different local actor in the amateur production. From the following clues, can you determine which chief executive’s ghost appears in each scene (Act 1, Scenes 1, 2, 3 and Act 2, Scenes 1, 2, 3) and the full name (one first name is Joe, one last name Trask) of the local thespian who plays him?

Grover Cleveland’s ghost appears earlier in the play than the ghost portrayed by Hal; Hal is on stage one scene before Mr Queen is.

Mr Rose’s performance comes in Act 1, while the ghost of Andrew Johnson’s Act 2 appearance is earlier than that of the spectre played by Frank.

The ghost Ken portrays is on stage later in the play than William Howard Taft’s rather rotund ghost.

Greg, who isn’t Mr Oates, enacts his role in Act 2. Mr Prince, then the actor playing Herbert Hoover’s ghost, and then Lou appear in three consecutive scenes in Ghosts in the White House.

The ghost of Warren G. Harding is in an earlier scene than the White House ghost played by Mr Oates.

Lou, who doesn’t have the part of Andrew Johnson’s ghost, and Mr Stone also painted the sets for the production.

The ghost Greg plays is on stage earlier than James Buchanan’s ghost.

Mr Queen’s role isn’t as Warren G. Harding’s shade.

Mr Rose, who isn’t Lou, isn’t featured as Herbert Hoover’s ghost.

Solutions on January 15

CORRECT ENTRIES

December 18

Sai Sharan, Durgapur; Dipesh Kumar, Kalyani; Durgapur; Abhishek Anand, Bhagalpur; Arshad Ejaz, Calcutta — 40; Gokul Panigrahi; Moumita Tripathi; Samir Kumar Maulick, Durgapur; Kumardip Sen; Smruti Samal; Mousumi Pal, Cal — 40; Dipak Singh, Kalyani; Gargi Manjee, Durgapur, Nadhiha Parveen, Calcutta

PUZZLE CRACKED

The response this week (December 18) was great. Sorry for not being able to fit everybody’s name. Given the space crunch, it really becomes very difficult to mention all the names and especially when so many of you hit upon the correct solution. So how are you finding the puzzles? Do keep me posted.

The solution to this week’s puzzle is provided below:

Solution: Five fools auditioned to become King Vlad’s court jester in the following order:
Ranulf the juggler was beheaded.
Scarletto the flute player was drawn and quartered.
Jack the tumbler was drowned.
Weems the magician was boiled in oil
Pippin the singer was the lucky one. He kept his head and was made the court jester.