Algorithm for checking if products fit in a shipping box

[dbalatero]

Hello, I'm writing some code that will check if an array of products with given dimensions (length, width, height) can fit inside of a shipping box of given dimensions (length, width, height).

Is there an algorithm to do this, or could someone point me in the right direction of where to go with this? I have my own theories, but while I'm competent with math, I'm not a math genius either...

Thanks!

 

[jcsd]

You want to look at the area of maths knoiwn as 'packing':

http://www.chem.ox.ac.uk/icl/heyes/structure_of_solids/Lecture1/Lec1.html

http://www.maa.org/devlin/devlin_9_98.html

http://www.stetson.edu/~efriedma/packing.html

http://www.polymorf.net/matter6.htm

These are sites I used as references when I was trying to solve a packing problem with marbles, so they may or may not be relevant to you.