Cube Dovetailing Problem

Given the above figure (without looking at the figure below!), determine how to disengage the two slotted cube halves without cutting, breaking, or distorting.

One possible solution is shown above; the slots are not perpendicular to one another but instead consist of parallel slotted tracks. Other solutions are also possible. For example, another construction involves two circular arcs sharing the same center (Gardner 2001, p. 117).

See also

Cube

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References

Dudeney, H. E. Amusements in Mathematics. New York: Dover, pp. 145 and 249, 1958.Gardner, M. The Colossal Book of Mathematics: Classic Puzzles, Paradoxes, and Problems. New York: W. W. Norton, 2001.Ogilvy, C. S. Excursions in Mathematics. New York: Dover, pp. 57, 59, and 143, 1994.

Referenced on Wolfram|Alpha

Cube Dovetailing Problem

Cite this as:

Weisstein, Eric W. "Cube Dovetailing Problem." From MathWorld--A Wolfram Resource. https://mathworld.wolfram.com/CubeDovetailingProblem.html

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