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  • Early Years Foundation Stage

Nicola's Jigsaw

Age 11 to 14
Challenge Level Yellow star
  • Problem
  • Getting Started
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Five 3D jigsaw pieces made from multilink

Nicola has a three dimensional puzzle made from cubes.

  • There are six pieces altogether, but unfortunately one has gone missing
  • All six pieces are different shapes
  • The pieces fit together to make a 3 by 3 by 3 cube

Here are diagrams showing five of the pieces:

Three small cubes joined in a line  Five small cubes, four joined in a square and a fifth sticking out in the same plane (or a row of two on top of a row of three)  Eight cubes forming a two by two by two cube
Three cubes joined in an L shape  A line of two cubes horizontally, joined to the left of the base of a tower of two cubes stacked vertically. 

Can you figure out what shape the sixth piece is?

Is there more than one possible shape that the sixth piece could be? 

You may wish to use multilink cubes like the ones shown in the photo to help you solve the problem.


Many thanks to Nicola Coe who created the original task on which this problem is based.

Nicola has now produced this new version of the jigsaw. How many different arrangements of 4 blocks can you find to complete the 3x3x3 cube?


 

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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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