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#1 2005-10-31 08:50:37

jerome
Member
Registered: 2005-10-31
Posts: 2

Tricky Question about a cube, please help. thanks

A 3"x3"x3"  Cube Of Wood Is To Be Sawedinto 1 Inch Cubes

After Each Cut, You Can Stack The Pieces Any Way You Like Before Makeing Another Cut.

What Is The Fewest Number Of Cuts That Can Do The Job And Why ?

Please Help Me With This . Thanks

Jerome

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#2 2005-10-31 08:57:35

mathsyperson
Moderator
Registered: 2005-06-22
Posts: 4,900

Re: Tricky Question about a cube, please help. thanks

You can do it with 6, by doing 2 cuts through each dimension.
To prove that it can't be done in less, consider the centre of the big cube that will become one of the small cubes. You need a separate cut to separate each of its 6 faces from the wood that surrounds it. Happy Hallowe'en!


Why did the vector cross the road?
It wanted to be normal.

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#3 2005-10-31 09:58:55

jerome
Member
Registered: 2005-10-31
Posts: 2

Re: Tricky Question about a cube, please help. thanks

Wow that was quick  , thanks a million there is a small prize for this where I work.
Jerome

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#4 2005-10-31 16:36:29

MathsIsFun
Administrator
Registered: 2005-01-21
Posts: 7,711

Re: Tricky Question about a cube, please help. thanks

That WAS quick, and makes sense, too.


"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..."  - Leon M. Lederman

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#5 2005-11-05 02:38:50

Torx
Guest

Re: Tricky Question about a cube, please help. thanks

that was so cheatiing, jerome.

#6 2005-11-05 02:46:51

mathsyperson
Moderator
Registered: 2005-06-22
Posts: 4,900

Re: Tricky Question about a cube, please help. thanks

It's true. The prize is technically mine.


Why did the vector cross the road?
It wanted to be normal.

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