Cutting Up Squares: Problem Solving Method

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    Cutting Squares
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving the cutting of a square to fit a specified number of rectangles, which are larger than the square in one dimension but have a total area less than that of the square. Participants explore methods for minimizing the number of cuts while maximizing the number of rectangles that can be accommodated, and whether this problem can be extended to higher dimensions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if there is a method to solve the problem of cutting a square to fit rectangles, noting that the rectangles' total area is less than the square's.
  • Another participant emphasizes the need to specify the number of rectangles and whether any type of cut is allowed, suggesting that the shape and size of the cut area may impose restrictions.
  • Some participants propose that the more rectangles to fill, the more cuts are needed, but there should be a balance to minimize cuts.
  • There is a mention of sphere packing as a potentially related concept, although the participants acknowledge that the problem is different.
  • One participant suggests that if the total area of the rectangles is less than the square's area, it should be possible to fill all rectangles using a finite number of cuts.
  • Another participant expresses curiosity about determining the least number of cuts required and seeks a systematic approach rather than relying on intuition.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that it is possible to fill the rectangles using cuts from the square, but there is no consensus on the methods to achieve this or the specifics of the cutting process. Multiple competing views on the restrictions and approaches remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of defining parameters such as the number of rectangles and the types of cuts allowed, which may affect the problem's complexity and solution strategies.

6.28318531
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I don't really know if this is in the right place, or what the problem is called, if its in the wrong place I'm sorry. Anyway my question is apart from intuition is there any method to solve a problem like say we have an object like a square, and we are given for instance rectangles, that in one dimension are larger than the square, but their total area is less, how do we cut up the square to fit the the most number of rectangles, in the least number of cuts? Can it be extended to higher dimensions?
 
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I have to think more about this but it is necessary to specify
i)the number of rectangles
ii) is any cut allowed? Can I cut a triangle out of the square and fill it in the rectangle? Is there
a restriction on the shape or size of the cut area?
The more rectangles you need to fill, the more cuts you need to do but at the same time
number of cuts have to be minimized so what you want is a middle ground in between
Anyways from top of my head sphere packing or things
along that line sound similar to me but in all honesty I might have to think
more and see where the problem leads
 
6.28318531 said:
... is there any method to solve a problem like
say we have an object like a square, and we are given for instance

**) rectangles,

that in one dimension are larger than the square,

but their total area is less, how do we cut up the square

to fit the the most number of rectangles,
in the least number of cuts?


**) For a given square, are all of the rectangles congruent to each other?
 
abiyo said:
I have to think more about this but it is necessary to specify
i)the number of rectangles
ii) is any cut allowed? Can I cut a triangle out of the square and fill it in the rectangle? Is there
a restriction on the shape or size of the cut area?
The more rectangles you need to fill, the more cuts you need to do but at the same time
number of cuts have to be minimized so what you want is a middle ground in between
Anyways from top of my head sphere packing or things
along that line sound similar to me but in all honesty I might have to think
more and see where the problem leads

Sorry been busy for the last few days.
Maybe just let it be that you can only make up rectangles from rectangles, so you are restricted in the cuts you can make.I think the number of rectangles would be specified. Yeah its sort of like the sphere problem, but different.and @checkitagain not necessarily.
 
6.28318531 said:
... an object like a square, and we are given for instance rectangles,
that in one dimension are larger than the square, but their total area
is less than \ the \ square's, \ how do we cut up the square to fit
the the most number of rectangles, in the least number of cuts?

Because the total area of the rectangles is less than the square,
shouldn't we be able to "fill up" all \ of the rectangles using a
finite number of cuts of the square?
 
Yeah you should always be able to do that, I suppose I was asking what is the least number of cuts required, and what is the most efficient use of the square's area. I was also curious if there is a way to work it out rather than using intuition.
 

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