The solution is shown in Figs. 42 and 43. It will be seen that the small
square is cut out whole and the large square composed of the four pieces
B, C, D, and E. After what I have written, the reader will have no
difficulty in seeing that the square A is half the size of one of the
arms of the cross, because the length of the diagonal of the former is
clearly the same as the side of the latter. The thing is now
self-evident. I have thus tried to show that some of these puzzles that
many people are apt to regard as quite wonderful and bewildering, are
really not difficult if only we use a little thought and judgment. In
conclusion of this particular subject I will give four Greek cross
puzzles, with detached solutions.
142.--THE SILK PATCHWORK.
The lady members of the Wilkinson family had made a simple patchwork
quilt, as a small Christmas present, all composed of square pieces of
the same size, as shown in the illustration. It only lacked the four
corner pieces to make it complete. Somebody pointed out to them that if
you unpicked the Greek cross in the middle and then cut the stitches
along the dark joins, the four pieces all of the same size and shape
would fit together and form a square. This the reader knows, from the
solution in Fig. 39, is quite easily done. But George Wilkinson suddenly
suggested to them this poser. He said, "Instead of picking out the cross
entire, and forming the square from four equal pieces, can you cut out a
square entire and four equal pieces that will form a perfect Greek
cross?" The puzzle is, of course, now quite easy.
143.--TWO CROSSES FROM ONE.
Cut a Greek cross into five pieces that will form two such crosses, both
of the same size. The solution of this puzzle is very beautiful.
144.--THE CROSS AND THE TRIANGLE.
Cut a Greek cross into six pieces that will form an equilateral
triangle. This is another hard problem, and I will state here that a
solution is practically impossible without a previous knowledge of my
method of transforming an equilateral triangle into a square (see No.
26, "Canterbury Puzzles").
145.--THE FOLDED CROSS.
Cut out of paper a Greek cross; then so fold it that with a single
straight cut of the scissors the four pieces produced will form a
square.
VARIOUS DISSECTION PUZZLES.
We will now consider a small miscellaneous selection of cutting-out
puzzles, varying in degrees of difficulty.
146.--AN EASY DISSECTION PUZZLE.
First, cut out a piece of paper or cardboard of the shape shown in the
illustration. It will be seen at once that the proportions are simply
those of a square attached to half of another similar square, divided
diagonally. The puzzle is to cut it into four pieces all of precisely
the same size and shape.
147.--AN EASY SQUARE PUZZLE.
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