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.

These eight pieces:
   +--+
   |\ |

   |/ |




+--+  +--+
|\/ \/   |
|   /\ /\|
+--+  +--+
   | /|
   | \|
   +--+
Makes two of these (no rotations needed):
 /\ /\
+--+  +
 \ | /
 / | \
+  +--+
 \/ \/

This is probably not the best possible.

Posted by Jer on 2006-03-06 15:08:33