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#1 2005-11-01 07:50:37
- jerome
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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
#2 2005-11-01 07:57:35
- mathsyperson
- Moderator
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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.
#4 2005-11-01 15:36:29
- MathsIsFun
- Administrator
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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
#5 2005-11-06 01:38:50
- Torx
- Guest
Re: Tricky Question about a cube, please help. thanks
that was so cheatiing, jerome.
#6 2005-11-06 01:46:51
- mathsyperson
- Moderator
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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.