Page 4

TESTING THE HYPOTHESIS

A hypothesis may need a large number of examples to show that it is right, but only one example, called a counter-example to prove that it is wrong. Look at the first part of the hypothesis from page 3 again:

A two-brick structure with any length base will STAND when part of the base brick is under the middle part of the top brick...

This part of the hypothesis seems to be correct, as there are a large number of two-brick structures that STAND when part of the base is under the 'middle part' of the top brick. In fact, if we are very careful with taking data and test every possible combination of two-brick structures, we will indeed find that all structures with 'a base brick under the middle of the top brick' will STAND.

However, the hypothesis has two parts. Look at the second part again:

...and will TOPPLE when it is not.

If you were careful with your experiments, you should have found at least one of the following counter-examples to the second part:

Each of these structures (did you find any others?) does not have a base brick under 'the middle part of the top brick', however, they don't TOPPLE, they actually STAND!

On to page 5!