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Hamiltonian Cube

Age 11 to 16
ShortChallenge Level Yellow starYellow star
Secondary curriculum
  • Problem
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Visiting all the vertices


The figure shows a cube with sides of length $1$, on which all twelve face diagonals have been drawn - creating a network with $14$ vertices (the original eight corners, plus the six face centres) and $36$ edges (the original $12$ edges of the cube plus four extra edges on each face). What is the length of the shortest path along the edges of the network which passes through all $14$ vertices?


Cube


 

If you liked this problem, here is an NRICH task which challenges you to use similar mathematical ideas.

 

 

This problem is taken from the UKMT Mathematical Challenges.
You can find more short problems, arranged by curriculum topic, in our short problems collection.

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The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice.

NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.

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