Seeks Solution to L-Shaped Land Division Puzzle

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AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around solving a land division puzzle involving an L-shaped plot that needs to be divided into four congruent plots for four children. The mother describes the plot as resembling three toy blocks and expresses frustration after her son struggled with the problem. A suggested strategy involves calculating the total area of the L shape and dividing it by four to isolate equal sections. The mother realizes that each child should receive three square units, leading her to understand that the parcels could be shaped similarly to the original plot. Ultimately, the mother feels relieved after gaining clarity on how to approach the problem.
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Homework Statement


Here is the exact wording of my sons problem
When a certain land owner died this l shaped plot of land was left to be shared among four children the only stipulation of the will was that the land must be divided into four congruent plots. show how this can be done. The figure given was one that looked like a square with a quarter of it removed. so that it resembled an L. As a mom, I'd say it resembled three toy blocks with 2 of them stacked next to the third

Homework Equations



none that I know of

The Attempt at a Solution



He tried mostly trial and error and I googled as much as I could. This is extra credit and he has given up, but it is driving me crazy. He is in 8th grade and is taking AP algebra/physics. I know this is probably a brainteaser or puzzle and should be a cinch for you all, but if you can help, I'd be most grateful

Andy's Mom
 
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one strategy:
Find total area (divide L into two rectangles, and are of rectangle is ab one side x another side)

divide by 4

try to isolate this 1/4 area into rectangles (which have area formula = ab)

...
 
I had figured out, well actually I tried to explain to my son that the answer might have something to do with the area of the shape. I told him to make sure he drew his shape exactly four units by 4 units leaving out a 2by 2 unit piece. I figured working with those numbers would spare him dealing with fractions. All I got was this blank stare.

I had figured out that each brother would get 3 square units but somehow I fixated on triangle shaped pieces and then kept trying to divide the land in half and then in half again.

It suddenly dawned on me that the whole shape was essentially three units and that each parcel would be the same shape as the whole. It just took a little while to put the puzzle pieces together. It would have been easier it someone wouldn't have run off with my pencil.

Thanks for sending me off in the right direction.
I'll be able to sleep tonight with only songs from the school play running through my head.
 
Kindly see the attached pdf. My attempt to solve it, is in it. I'm wondering if my solution is right. My idea is this: At any point of time, the ball may be assumed to be at an incline which is at an angle of θ(kindly see both the pics in the pdf file). The value of θ will continuously change and so will the value of friction. I'm not able to figure out, why my solution is wrong, if it is wrong .
TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...

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