Conway puzzle

In this article, we will explore the fascinating world of Conway puzzle. From its origins to its impact today, Conway puzzle has played a fundamental role in society. Throughout history, Conway puzzle has been the subject of numerous studies and research, which has led to a greater understanding of its importance and relevance in different areas. Through this article, we will delve into its many facets, analyzing its consequences and possible implications for the future. Join us on this journey through Conway puzzle, and discover its influence on the world around us.

Three-dimensional packing problem

Conway's puzzle, or blocks-in-a-box, is a packing problem using rectangular blocks, named after its inventor, mathematician John Conway. It calls for packing thirteen 1 × 2 × 4 blocks, one 2 × 2 × 2 block, one 1 × 2 × 2 block, and three 1 × 1 × 3 blocks into a 5 × 5 × 5 box.^[1]

Solution

The solution of the Conway puzzle is straightforward once one realizes, based on parity considerations, that the three 1 × 1 × 3 blocks need to be placed so that precisely one of them appears in each 5 × 5 × 1 slice of the cube.^[2] This is analogous to similar insight that facilitates the solution of the simpler Slothouber–Graatsma puzzle.

See also

• Soma cube

References

1. ^ Weisstein, Eric W. "Conway Puzzle". MathWorld.
2. ^ Elwyn R. Berlekamp, John H. Conway and Richard K. Guy: winning ways for your mathematical plays, 2nd ed, vol. 4, 2004.

External links

• The Conway puzzle in Stewart Coffin's "The Puzzling World of Polyhedral Dissections"