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This puzzle is a exchange puzzle by George Miller for the International Puzzle Party 25 held in Helsinki, Finland 2005
Objective / Description:
About the puzzle:
In 1978, Dean Hoffman posed the following problem to a conference at Miami University.
“Fit twenty-seven blocks, measuring A x B x C into a cubic box with sides of A + B + C. A, B and C must be different and the smallest dimension must be larger than (A + B + C) / 4.”
Dean Hoffman dismissed all other dimensions of blocks as uninteresting. Donald Knuth, in 2004, decided to examine the case where the smallest dimension was equal to (A + B + C) / 4. This equality forces the dimensions of the block to 3x4x5. Yes, Donald Knuth found solutions for fitting 27 of these blocks into a 12x12x12 cube. Amazingly, he also discovered 3 solutions for fitting 28 of these blocks into a 12x12x12 cube. These three solutions are shown below and are labeled “Easy”, “Medium” , and “Difficult”. The Difficult solution is distinctly non-symmetrical.
Packaging: Plastic box
Preliminary estimate of shipping costs from the Netherlands.
Netherlands: from 0 - 2 kg max. approx. $ 13.50
Europe 1: from 0 - 2 kg max. approx. $ 23.00 to Belgium, Germany, France, (incl. Corsica and Monaco), Italy (excl. San Marino and Vatican City), Luxembourg, Spain (incl. Balearic Islands, excl. Canary Islands).
Europe 2: (rest of Europe) from 0 - 2 kg max. approx. $ 32.00 to all other countries in Europe (excl. Russia, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Romania, Slovenia).
World: from 0 - 2 kg max. approx. $ 52.00 to oa (Australia, New Zealand, Bulgaria, Japan).
ROW: (rest of the world) from 0 - 2 kg max. approx. $ 46.00 - to all other countries (incl. Russia).
PLEASE NOTE: There is a high probability that additional customs clearance fees will be charged for shipments to the United States.
The final shipping cost will be determined when the item is closed.
And if more items are sold to the same address, the average shipping cost per item will be lower.