Can you arrange four cubes so every side shows a different color?
In short: Known as the problem of Instant Insanity, this puzzle asks how to stack four multi-colored cubes to ensure each face of the resulting tower displays a unique color. This video explores a sophisticated solution using graph theory.
With 4 cubes featuring 4 colors across their 6 faces, there are 82,944 possible ways to stack them. The challenge is to find a specific configuration where all four colors appear on every side of the final stack.
Robin Wilson, Gresham Professor of Geometry, demonstrates that while there are two distinct methods to solve this, one can be elegantly mapped using graph theory. This lecture is part of a larger series titled 'A Millennium of Mathematical Puzzles,' hosted by Gresham College, an institution providing free public lectures since 1597.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Four Cubes Problem - 1
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/ideas-the-four-cubes-problem-1.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
