Volume 5 (2018): Edizione 9 (September 2018)

Gardner asked whether it was possible to tile/pack the squares 1×1,…, 24×24 in a 70×70 square. Arguments that it is impossible have been given by Bitner–Reingold and more recently by Korf–Mofitt–Pollack. Here we outline a simpler algorithm, which we hope could be used to give an alternative and more direct proof in the future. We also derive results of independent interest concerning such packings.

We treat the boundary of the union of blocks in the Jenga game as a surface with a polyhedral structure and consider its genus. We generalize the game and determine the maximum genus among the configurations in the generalized game.

Using six colors, one per side, cubes can be colored in 30 unique ways. In this paper, a row and column pattern in Conway’s matrix always leads to a selection of eight cubes to replicate one of the 30 cubes. Each cube in the set of 30 has a 2 × 2 × 2 replica with inside faces of matching color. The eight cubes of each replica can be configured in two different ways.

In this paper, we define the term Mathematical Sculpture, a task somehow complex. Also, we present a classification of mathematical sculptures as exhaustive and complete as possible. Our idea consists in establishing general groups for different branches of Mathematics, subdividing these groups according to the main mathematical concepts used in the sculpture design.