Combination Puzzles - Properties - Irregular Cuboids

Irregular Cuboids

An irregular cuboid, in the context of this article, is a cuboid puzzle where not all the pieces are the same size in edge length. This category of puzzle is often made by taking a larger regular cuboid puzzle and fusing together some of the pieces to make larger pieces. In the formulae for piece configuration, the configuration of the fused pieces is given in brackets. Thus, (as a simple regular cuboid example) a 2(2,2)x2(2,2)x2(2,2) is a 2×2×2 puzzle, but it was made by fusing a 4×4×4 puzzle. Puzzles which are constructed in this way are often called "bandaged" cubes. However, there are many irregular cuboids that have not (and often could not) be made by bandaging.

Picture Data Comments

Commercial name: Skewb
Geometric shape: Cube
Piece configuration: -

Similar to the original Rubik's Cube, the Skewb differs in that its four axes of rotation pass through the corners of the cube rather than the centres of the faces. As a result, it is a deep-cut puzzle in which each twist scrambles all six faces.

Bandaged Cubes
Geometric shape: Cube
Piece configuration: various

The example shown in the link is a simple example of a large number of bandaged cubes that have been made.

Commercial name: Square One
Geometric shape: Cube

A variation on the original Rubik's Cube where it can be turned in such a manner as to distort the cubical shape of the puzzle. The Square One consists of three layers. The upper and lower layers contain kite and triangular pieces. The middle layer contains two trapezoid pieces, which together may form an irregular hexagon or a square. Square One is an example of another very large class of puzzle — cuboid puzzles which have cubies that are not themselves all cuboid.

Read more about this topic:  Combination Puzzles, Properties

Famous quotes containing the word irregular:

    I am one of those who hold that poetry is never so blithe as in a wanton and irregular subject.
    Michel de Montaigne (1533–1592)