An 11x11x1 slab can divided into pieces that fit into a 5x5x5 cube. Show that the slab must be divided into at least 9 pieces.

Find a 9 piece division such that the volume of each piece is at least 8.

That there must be at least 9 pieces is almost trivial.  Since the maximum length or width of a piece is 5, you can't cut 11 into only two pieces.  You have to go with 3 and 3*3=9.

Posted by Jer on 2017-03-14 12:12:47