Ken's Puzzle of the Week
Rods in a Box
- Place 3 length=1 rods together into a configuration which maximizes the volume of the smallest box (rectangular prism) which
contains the rods. What is the configuration and resulting volume
of the box? The rods do not necessarily have to touch the box
along their length; the entire structure must simply fit within the
box's volume.
- What are the dimensions of the smallest box which can hold 3 rods regardless
of their configuration?
Extension: Solve for 4 and 5 rods.
Source: Original.
Solution
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