The X+Y Files

Issue 11

Shepherd’s Problem

By using eight wooden bars the shepherd has constructed two square folds. Now there are three lambs which must be kept in separate folds. How can the bars be arranged to make three square folds?

(based on a puzzle by Sam Loyd)


Four of the bars are twice as long as the others. The shepherd wants the three square folds all to be the same size. How can this be done?