Today’s puzzle is a classic – one of the most celebrated, perhaps, of all time.
The T-puzzle
Rearrange the four pieces to make a T. The pieces cannot overlap and must fit in to the given template. Flipping pieces is allowed.
For an interactive version click here. For a printable version click here
The challenge looks easy, but many people find it surprisingly difficult.
In one academic study from 1997, the T-puzzle was given to five undergraduates. The fastest solved it in 2mins 20secs and the next fastest in 9mins 13secs. The other three were unable to solve it within 15 minutes, at which point they were all given a hint, and they solved it shortly after that.
Can you do any better? Reader Phoebe Fletcher, a game developer, has designed an interactive version (click here). You can move the pieces with your thumb/mouse and rotate them by clicking, or pressing the buttons. The third button is for flips.
The interactive puzzle also has a timer, which stops when the puzzle is solved. We’ll be collecting data on how long people take to get the solutions, and I will present the results in a new post at 5pm UK today – with the solution for those people still scratching their heads.
If you prefer a physical version of the puzzle, click here for a printable pdf from which you can cut out the four pieces.
Tiling puzzles were popular in the 19th century and the T-puzzle, with only four pieces, was one of the best-known. It was widely disseminated by companies who handed out paper versions as giveaways, and also sold commercially as a wooden toy.
PLEASE NO SPOILERS – instead please write sentences with words beginning only with T.
Thanks to Phoebe Fletcher.
I’ve been setting a puzzle here on alternate Mondays since 2015. I’m always on the look-out for great puzzles. If you would like to suggest one, email me.
