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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Science
Alex Bellos

Can you solve it? Are you a lion of logic?

Three lions from the Football School Encyclopedia.
Three lions from the Football School Encyclopedia. Illustration: Spike Gerrell/Walker Books

When I’m not writing about maths and puzzles, I’m working on my children’s book series, Football School, which uses the sport as a lens to the world. Researching the Football School Encyclopedia, the latest book in the series, I discovered the following geometrical curiosity. When painted pitch markings were introduced in 1891, the goal area was in the shape of a “B”.

Sport Football Specific1901 FA cup final. Tottenham Hotspur 3 Sheffield United 1. Played at Crystal Palace, London in front of a then world record crowd of 110,820 .
1901 FA cup final. Tottenham Hotspur 3 Sheffield United 1. Played at Crystal Palace, London in front of a then world record crowd of 110,820 . Photograph: Chronicle/Alamy
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