An English/Math Riddle

There is a persistent but unfounded notion that between can be

used only of two items and that among must be used for more than two. Between has been used of more than two since Old

English; it is especially appropriate to denote a one-to-one relationship, regardless of the number of items. It can be used

when the number is unspecified <economic cooperation between nations>, when more than two are enumerated <between

you and me and the lamppost> <partitioned between Austria, Prussia, and Russia -- Nathaniel Benchley>, and even when

only one item is mentioned (but repetition is implied) <pausing between every sentence to rap the floor -- George

Eliot>. Among is more appropriate where the emphasis is on distribution rather than individual relationships

<discontent among the peasants>. When among is automatically chosen for more than two, English idiom may be strained

<a worthy book that nevertheless falls among many stools -- John Simon> <the author alternates among mod slang,

clichés and quotes from literary giants -- A. H. Johnston>.

I use The New

Oxford English Dictionary and where, as I see it, the words "divide" and "between" are used together in a sentence with one

subject then the combination of both indicates two.

My sister was given this in a transfer examination from Primary to

Secondary School. She chose 2 because it was the only sensible answer.