Wooden Rubik's Cube
A Carpenter wants to cut a Wooden Cube into 27 equal cubes.
what is the minimum number of cuts required for the process ?
what is the minimum number of cuts required for the process ?
Labels: out-of-the-box, thinktank
posted by Rajesh Lal at
8:26 AM
29 Comments:
I think...13?
Well i say nine is enough... at least i think so...
6
As a carpenter, I'm pretty sure 6 cuts is right. Make 2 cuts to create three equal pieces. Holding these three pieces together as a cube still, make 2 more cuts perpindicular to the first to create 9 rectangular pieces. Rotate the cube once again, and cut all the rectangles, being held together as a cube, at once with two more cuts to create the 27 cubes.
As a non-carpenter Iwould just cut the middle cube first and then go for a coffee break.
it would take six. imagine a solid wood cube. cut it straight up and down 3 times. cut it sideways three times. Ta-Da!! Rubix Cube at your service!
4 simple cuts, think of the rubik's cube
six...2 top to bottom, 2 left to right, and 2 front to back
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6 2x2x2. Lol, it's a fun riddle cause you immediately think 9 and then it hits you that it's the cuts you want to count. Good job on riddle making.
"it" hits you? that was me... ;)
I knew it was six and then you told me it was...you're just more vocal than I am...haha
weirdo
its 4. u guyz are crazy
Six. One cut for each side of the middle cube.
I think 14. 2 cuts to get it into 3 pieces, 6 cuts to get it into 9 pieces, another 6 to get it into 27 pieces
This is an interesting one, as it all depends how you are going to cut it. If u hold the blocks together in the original cube shape then it is 6 cuts, but if u seperate them and do the cuts (as you would have to if u were to do it safetly, then it would be a lot more.
2 to get it into 3 blocks.
2 on each of these 3 blocks is 6 to get it into 9 blocks
Then 2 on each of these blocks to make 27, which is 18 cuts
so in total, it is 18 + 6 + 2, which is 26 cuts.
Look at how much time you save by holding it together as u cut it.
So, Yes you could say those that said 6 were correct, but if u did it using that method, then u run the risk of the middle blocks falling out of place making the blocks of un-equal shape and size.
This is coming from someone who is not a profesional carpenter, but was one the top carpenters in DT in year 7 at school.
I would think that the puzzle meant that you could not hold multiple peices together.. That makes it too simple.
Assuming, you only cut 1 peice at a time, It can be done in 22 cuts.
Cut 1 side off (1 cut)
Cut that side into 3 strips (2 cuts)
Cut those 3 strips into 9 cubes (6 cuts)
Cut the bottom off the remaining block (1 cut)
Cut that peice into 2 strips (1 cuts)
Cut those 2 strips into 6 cubes (4 cuts)
Cut the front off the remaining block (1 cut)
Cut that peice in half (1 cut)
Cut those 2 peices into 4 cubes (2 cuts)
Cut the remaining block in half (1 cut)
Cut each of those peices into 4 cubes (2 cuts)
1+2+6+1+1+4+1+1+2+1+2 = 22 cuts
Can it be done with less cuts that this? w/o cutting more than one peice at a time?
6. Cut the block into 3 equal pieces, lay them on top of each other. And cut them length wise in 3 equal pieces. Now lay those on top of each other and cut them into 3 equal pieces. Thus 27.
6 equal cuts.
8
6
I think you all have too much time on your hands. But so do I. I thought 9...
Haha.
6, be two on the top, and two more on one side and two on the final side.
I say 108 cuts
6
I am really sure it is ten i made a cube and cut it into 9*3 and it made ten cuts to go to 27
6 simple cuts. two on top going left to right, two more across top going front to back, and two more on front face going horizontally from front to back.
it's obviously four. you divide the top into three sections. however, you only have to make 2 cuts from top to bottom to get those three. Then you keep those pieces together and cut twice from right to left and you have 27 small, equally sized cubes. it's kinda ridiculous how many people got this wrong. and i read a few 4's but no one really explained.
NOTE: please ignore the periods(.) in the cube drawing diagram.
Just posting this because I want to explain to the people who keep saying 4.
2 cuts from the top vertically or up to down. Gives you.
.________
|...|...|...|
|...|...|...|
|__|__|__|
Basically 3 Square "floors".
2 more cuts ether from the top horizontally or left to right. Or if you prefer to cut it left to right from the side.
then you will get 9 pieces that looks like:
.__
|...|
|...|
|__| (side view)
.__
|__| bird's eye view
Basically 9 collumns.
2 more cuts from the side(if you cut from the top last cut) and vice versa for cutting the top.
gives you 3 layers of
. ________
|__|__|__|
|__|__|__|
|__|__|__|
so each layer has 9 small cubes.
3x9 is 27.
As for holding it evenly or steadily. I'm sure carpenters have more than just cutting tools. Tools to hold things in place are numerous and in different shapes and sizes. From reading the puzzle I don't think the author was trying to trick anyone. So it's safe to say 1 cut = from the time the tool used to cut the cube touch the cube till the time it leaves the cube.
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