[bonanova]

Here's an easy dissection problem in three dimensions.

1. Cut a 12-inch cube into 4 parts.
   
2. Re-assemble the parts into a 8"x8"x27" rectangular block.
   

Have fun.

[andromeda]

For some reason people here take me seriously whatever I say

Thanks anyway for the 3D puzzle!!!

[andromeda]

OK! This is what a got so far! You say it's easy, but...

I'm not finished yet but I want to know if I'm on a right track!

When I cut the cube like this and assemble those two pieces I get 8*8*16 and I have 4*12*12

(and I have to turn that into 8*8*9 by making two pieces out of the previous one mentioned)

Is the start any good?

[Guest]

Is the start any good?

How do you intend to get 27 from the numbers 4,6,8 & 12 ??? Think again

[bonanova]

be sure not to lose any volume along the way.

8x8x16 + 4x12x12 = 1600

12x12x12 = 8x8x27 = 1728.

[andromeda]

be sure not to lose any volume along the way.

8x8x16 + 4x12x12 = 1600

12x12x12 = 8x8x27 = 1728.

I made a typo it's not 8*8*16 I meant 8*8*18 (6+6+6)!

I put numbers on the picture so you could see what I'm thinking about even if I made a mistake in tipping!

I asked if I'm on a right track?! <_<

[bonanova]

you can foresee trouble in that you want four pieces.

With the three you have at this point, you can only cut one and keep the other two.

But no two of the the three are the right dimensions.

So you need to rethink at least one of your first cuts.

[Guest]

Have my thinking cap on ... Need more time to think

[soop]

Here's an easy dissection problem in three dimensions.

1. Cut a 12-inch cube into 4 parts.
   
2. Re-assemble the parts into a 8"x8"x27" rectangular block.
   

Have fun.

This is really good. I don't have it

That the shapes you cut are not going to be six-sided. I think they're going to be stepped.

[Guest]

One of the four pieces

[Guest]

I managed to solve it the other way

Cut a 8"x8"x27" rectangular block into 4 parts.

Re-assemble the parts into a 12-inch cube.

This is the solution to the same problem as we are getting 4 pieces from the same volume, just planning it from reverse

[bonanova]

I managed to solve it the other way

Agree solution is the same - care to post it?

[Guest]

Agree solution is the same - care to post it?

Sure

We take 8x8x27 and cut it like this

[soop]

Oh, no way, that's totally not fair. I did the jigsaw (from a cube) to make a 18x8 long shape, but it says you have to cut the cube into 4 pieces, not cut the cube once, then reform it and cut another shape. That's not seriously the answer is it?

[Guest]

Oh, no way, that's totally not fair. I did the jigsaw (from a cube) to make a 18x8 long shape, but it says you have to cut the cube into 4 pieces, not cut the cube once, then reform it and cut another shape. That's not seriously the answer is it?

If you cut across 2 pieces you get 4 pieces. That is how you should cut the cube

[Guest]

If you cut across 2 pieces you get 4 pieces. That is how you should cut the cube

Impressive! Kudos to you.

(am I use the Kudos right? )

[Guest]

Impressive! Kudos to you.

(am I use the Kudos right? )

Yes and thank you

[bonanova]

Oh, no way, that's totally not fair. I did the jigsaw (from a cube) to make a 18x8 long shape, but it says you have to cut the cube into 4 pieces, not cut the cube once, then reform it and cut another shape. That's not seriously the answer is it?

That's the solution.

The cube is cut into four pieces.

Nothing unfair about it ... consider:

With 3 cuts I can divide a pizza into six pieces.

Now only the first cut actually cut the [original, uncut] pizza.

The following cuts cut the pieces that resulted from the first cut.

But you'd still say I cut the pizza into 6 pieces wouldn't you?

Also, the OP did not say that only two cuts could be made.

So no rearrangement was really necessary, if you don't like rearrangements.

The first cut makes two pieces.

They can then be cut, once each and without rearrangement, into the final four pieces.