The Prismatoid and the Prismoidal Formula

The General Prismatoid

A general prismatoid is a solid such that the area of any section, say Ay, parallel to and distant y from a fixed plane can be expressed as a polynomial of y of degree not higher than the third.
 

general-prismatoid.jpg

 

A solid is a general prismatoid if

$A_y = a + b_y + cy^2 + dy^3$

Where a, b, c, and d are arbitrary constants which may be positive, negative, or zero.
 

Probability That 1, 2, 3, 4 of the Recruits Will Receive the Correct Size of Boots

Situation
Four army recruits went to the supply room to get their military boots. Their shoe sizes were 7, 8, 9 & 10. The supply officer, after being informed of their sizes, prepared the four pairs of boots they need. If the boots are handed to each of the four recruits at random, what is the probability that...

  1. exactly 3 of them will receive the correct shoe size?
    A.   1/16 C.   1/12
    B.   1/24 D.   0

     

  2. all of them will receive the correct shoe size?
    A.   1/16 C.   1/12
    B.   1/24 D.   0

     

  3. none of them will receive the correct shoe size
    A.   3/8 C.   1/16
    B.   23/24 D.   5/12

 

11 - Distance Traveled By A Messenger From Rear To Front Then Back To Rear Of A Marching Battalion

Problem
A battalion, 20 miles long, advances 20 miles. During this time, a messenger on a horse travels from the rear of the battalion to the front and immediately turns around, ending up precisely at the rear of the battalion upon the completion of the 20-mile journey. How far has the messenger traveled?
 

10 - Messenger Going From Front To Rear Then To Front Of A Marching Army Column

Problem
An army of troops is marching along a road at 5 kph. A messenger on horseback was sent from the front to the rear of the column and returns immediately back. The total time taken being 10 minutes. Assuming the messenger rides at the rate of 10 kph, determine the length of the column.