1 Topic by visavis (edited by visavis 2007-07-17 21:59:06)

  • Registered: 2005-10-16

Topic: Impossible Block Puzzle?

http://server6.theimagehosting.com/imag … Puzzle.jpg

http://images6.theimagehosting.com/Impossible-Block-Puzzle.jpg

"The unknown does not incite fear, but dependence on the known does." - J. Krishnamurti

visavis's Website

  • Registered: 2007-07-17

Re: Impossible Block Puzzle?

Whoa, that's a mind bender.

  • montalk
  • montalk
  • forum-keeper-upper
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  • Registered: 2004-03-24

Re: Impossible Block Puzzle?

Did you figure it out yet? Hint: an edge that seems straight isn't.

Acquiring fringe knowledge is like digging for diamonds in a mine field.

montalk's Website

  • Registered: 2007-07-17

Re: Impossible Block Puzzle?

ah yes,  nudges out there a bit.  just had to look a little closer.  I was about to curse the name of Pythagoras and be done with it all.

  • Registered: 2006-09-01

Re: Impossible Block Puzzle?

I don't get it, I've added up the high and width and they all add up. Both shapes are triangles 13 squares long and 5 squares high, they have the same volume and the 4 shapes are identical. The missing square is an extra square, but I don't understand how this is possible.

  • Registered: 2006-01-11

Re: Impossible Block Puzzle?

Want the spoiler? Here you go.

Don't look at the number of squares by height and width; that's just there to fool you.  The trick is based on your mind's assumption that the diagonal for the combined shape across that height and width is a straight line; in this case, it isn't.

If you need proof, the long side of the smaller 5x2 triangle is 2 1/2 times the length of its short side, while for the larger 8x3 triangle, it's 2 2/3 times.  So the hypotenuses are at slightly different angles, just enough so that when combined into one larger "triangle", the displaced area takes up the size of one block.

  • From: California
  • Registered: 2006-09-13

Re: Impossible Block Puzzle?

I don't get it, whats the puzzle part?:|