On packings of squares and rectangles (Q1842172)

Noting that \(\sum_{n=1}^\infty 1/n (n+1) =1\) Leo Moser asked if rectangles of size \(1/n\times 1/(n+ 1)\), \(n=1, 2, 3, \dots\) can be packed into the unit square. In this paper it is shown (by direct construction) that these rectangles can be packed into a square of side \({{204} \over {203}}\). This improves upon the previous bound of \({{133} \over {132}}\). The author also considers packings of the squares of side \(1/n\) for \(n= 3, 5, 7, \dots\;\). It is shown that all the squares of side \(1/n\), \(n= 3, 5, 7, \dots\), can be packed into a rectangle of area \(32/135\).