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Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level Yellow star
  • Problem
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Jason from Priory School, Dunstable says:

"If you cut 2 squares deep it will become a 6 x 6 base which I make as the biggest amount of space: 72 cubes. I worked this out using :

Length x Width x Height
6 x 6 x 2 = 72"

Christina (Marborough Primary, London) and Josh (Ampthill, Bedfordshire) agree with this answer.

Josh said, "At first I thought it would be best to cut out a 3x3 square at each corner, but that box only held 48 cubes. If you cut out a 2x2 square though, the box will hold 2x6x6 cubes which is 72. That is the most."


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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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