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Break Room
Brain Teasers
By Chip McDaniel, AutomationDirect
1.) Robotic Shuffle
The puzzle factory has a grid of 49 robotic work cells, but only 10 robots are currently installed as shown in the illustration below. One morning the eccentric factory owner declares that three (and only 3) of the robots should be moved to new work cells, such that the robots will be aligned into five rows, with four robots in each row. Can you find a way to achieve her whimsical placement request?
2.) Thirteenth Squaring
Cutting only along the grid lines, what is the smallest number of square pieces into which you can dissect this image?
The largest number possible is 169 of course, where all the small squares are cut apart. But we are looking for the smallest number. Another approach might be to cut out a large 12x12 square, then cut the remainder into 25 little squares for a total of 26. That’s certainly better than 169, but it can be done with far fewer. Give it a try!
3.) Cut the Cable
Go to Article
Editor's Note
New Product Focus
- Headless C-more Remote HMI without attached display
- Continuous Flexing Profinet Cable
- ProductivityOpen Arduino-compatible Controller
- Hammond Industrial Enclosures
Tech Thread
Productivity®Open - Maker In, Industrial Out
Business Notes
Cover Story
Does Your PLC Talk JSON?
What's New
User Solutions
Roller Coaster Overhaul
Student Spotlight
Industrial Automation with a Mission
Break Room
Brain Teasers
Four automation firms along with an engineer from each firm went shopping for cable. Each com- pany bought twice as many sections of cable as their engineer, and each purchaser bought as many sec- tions of cable as the number of dollars paid for each section. Acme spent $76 more than Globex; Dave bought three sections less than Standard; Alice bought two sections more than Fred, who spent $48 less than xCel. What company does Jane work for?
Solutions on next page
Break Room www.automationnotebook.com | Issue 43