Problem 2: Jacques the Ripper
Jacques has a very large piece of paper. He rips it in half, holds the two pieces together and rips in half again, then places all the pieces together and rips in half a third time.
He sets aside all the pieces except one and repeats the process, ripping in half three times then setting aside all pieces but one.
Will Jacques ever have exactly 1,729 pieces of paper?
Applications Now Open
We are now accepting applications from students currently in Year 6 to join 1729 Maths School in Year 7 and from students currently in Year 8 to join the school in Year 9.
Applications close 31 October 2025.