I have a cross in the form of one square with four identical squares surrounding it

   _
 _|_|_
|_|_|_|
  |_|

Cut it into the fewest number of pieces possible such that, when rearranged the pieces form two smaller crosses of identical size.

Do the smaller crosses have to have the same shape (both horizontally and vertically symmetrical) as the original cross?

Or, for that matter, do the smaller crosses have to have the same shape as each other (as opposed to just the same size)?

Also, I'm assuming that the number of cuts required is irrelevant, you're just looking for the fewest number of pieces, regardless of the cuts required to get those pieces...is that correct?

Posted by tomarken on 2006-03-06 13:03:43