536 Puzzles and Curious Problems

(Elliott) #1
349. TABLE TOP AND STOOLS

Most people are familiar with the
old puzzle of the circular table top
cut into pieces to form two oval stools,
each with a hand hole. The old solu-
tion was in eight pieces, but an im-
proved version was given in only six
pieces in Amusements in Mathematics,
No. 157.
Those who remember the puzzle
will be interested in a solution in as
few as four pieces by the late Sam
Loyd. Can you cut the circle into
four pieces that will fit together (two
and two) and form two oval stool
tops, each with a hand hole?


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  1. CHANGING THE SUIT


You are asked to cut the spade into
three pieces that will fit together and
form a heart. Of course no part of the
material may be wasted, or it would
be absurd, since it would be neces-
sary merely to cut away the stem of
the spade.

Dissection Puzzles J 23


  1. TRIANGLE AND SQUARE


Can you cut each of the equilateral
triangles into three pieces, so that the
six pieces will fit together and form a
perfect square?
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