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A few years ago I created a small packing puzzle that I'd like to share here today. The puzzle is based on the fact that $1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8 = 6^2$. It consists of 8 zig-zag polyomino pieces, ranging in size from 1 to 8 squares. The pieces are shown here:

enter image description here

The basic aim is to create a 6 by 6 square.

enter image description here

There are two very closely related solutions.

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    $\begingroup$ It is quite fun to solve this by hand, so I recommend cutting out the pieces out of cardboard. When the puzzle has been solved I will link to a page with further shapes you can make instead of just the square. $\endgroup$ Jun 23, 2018 at 20:32
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    $\begingroup$ As promised, here is a link to some further problems you can solve with these pieces: Ziggy page $\endgroup$ Jun 23, 2018 at 21:13

2 Answers 2

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Here's one solution.

enter image description here

The second solution can be achieved by:

Swapping the 4 and 6.

.

enter image description here

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    $\begingroup$ You write the second solution, which seems to imply that there are only two of them? $\endgroup$ Jun 24, 2018 at 9:52
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    $\begingroup$ @FedericoPoloni they're referring to the two similar solutions the OP is talking about. $\endgroup$ Jun 24, 2018 at 11:20
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Here is one solution

gosh I'm bad at making little papers

Thanks for the fun!

Bonus shapes:

bonus1


bonus2

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  • $\begingroup$ You got the same as my first solution. (And even the same rotation/reflection, coincidentally) Good job on actually cutting out pieces. $\endgroup$
    – Riley
    Jun 23, 2018 at 20:59
  • $\begingroup$ @Riley I just follow Jaap Scherphuis advice, and it was indeed quite fun. $\endgroup$
    – Kepotx
    Jun 23, 2018 at 21:05

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