[Home] [Contents] [Figures] [Search] [Help]
[Next Page] [Prev Page] [ Next Chapter] [Prev Chapter]
The number of practical ways that 24 notched sticks are symmetrically assemblable is very limited. Only one is known to the author, shown in Fig. 83. It uses 23 identical pieces and one key piece having an extra notch. With an illustration to follow, assembly of the puzzle is mostly a test of dexterity. There is also a surprising solution that uses 24 identical pieces without any key piece, and it requires even more dexterity.
Fig. 83
The really interesting feature of this puzzle set is that other interlocking assemblies are possible using fewer pieces, making it practically unique among burr puzzles. Two such solutions appear in Fig. 84. The one on the left is the standard six-piece burr, using five regular pieces and one key piece. Note the unusual symmetry of the one on the right, which uses nine regular pieces and one key piece. There is another neat solution, left for the reader to discover, that uses 16 regular pieces and has fourfold symmetry.
In order to be satisfactory, the pieces must be made accurately, with the length exactly three times the width. A version of this puzzle is produced by Pentangle under the name Squirrel Cage.
Fig. 84
| ©1990-2005 by Stewart T. Coffin For questions or comments regarding this site, contact the chief metagrobologist:  |
[Next Page] [Prev Page] [ Next Chapter] [Prev Chapter]
