(Dis)proof by Construction

In the New Scientist article "It's a wrap" (New Scientist, December 20-27, 2008, pp66-67), it is asserted that mathematicians have proven that in two dimensions, given six or less circular objects and an elastic wrapper, a "sausage" of the circles arranged in a straight line encloses the minimum possible area within the wrapper.

They may have "proven" it mathematically, but the assertion can be disproven by construction in a matter of minutes, without even having to do any calculations.

( Disproof by construction (cut for length) )

A principle for life

Sometimes, "Because I can" just isn't sufficient reason.

Point of information

If you're Hamas, and you can't find a place in the north-eastern end of the Gaza Strip (see satellite view here) from which to fire rockets into Israel that does not put a school, a hospital, an apartment building etc. within the target zone for counterbattery fire, it's because you're not even trying.