The hottest Puzzles Substack posts right now

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Rubik’s abstract polytopes

A Piece of the Pi: mathematics explained • 18 implied HN points • 03 Mar 25
🔬 Science Mathematics Topology Geometry Puzzles Education
  1. Rubik's Cube can be made in different shapes, like a tetrahedron or dodecahedron, instead of just the classic cube. These variations have their own names, like the Megaminx for the dodecahedron.
  2. A new study explains how to think about these puzzles in more dimensions, counting how many different ways they can be turned or rearranged. This includes understanding shapes like the hypercube.
  3. The math behind a Rubik's Cube shows interesting patterns, like counting sticks and pieces, and this can help us understand all kinds of shapes and designs better.

The Monty Hall problem: The golden goat variation

Simplicity is SOTA • 131 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
🔬 Science Mathematics Probability Bayesian Logic Puzzles
  1. The Monty Hall problem has a new twist, focusing on a valuable goat instead of a car. In this version, knowing which goat is valuable affects your choice.
  2. Using Bayes' theorem can help calculate the probabilities in this variation. After a goat is revealed, you can reassess your chances to make a better decision.
  3. The essential lesson is to update your beliefs with new information. Recognizing how new clues impact your choices is key to making smarter decisions.

Turning a triangle into a square

A Piece of the Pi: mathematics explained • 115 implied HN points • 11 Jan 25
🔬 Science Mathematics Geometry Puzzles Research
  1. Henry Dudeney showed in 1902 that you can cut an equilateral triangle into four pieces and rearrange them into a square with the same area. This is a fun example of how shapes can transform while keeping their total area the same.
  2. The Wallace–Bolyai–Gerwien theorem explains how you can rearrange two shapes with the same area into each other through cutting, but Dudeney's method is unique because the pieces stay connected during the transformation.
  3. Recent research proved that you can't turn a triangle into a square using fewer than four pieces without flipping any. This shows how specific and tricky these geometric dissections can be.
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The Parks puzzle

A Piece of the Pi: mathematics explained • 36 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🚌 Education Mathematics Puzzles Computer Science Logic
  1. The Parks puzzle is a game where you place trees on a grid with specific rules, similar to Sudoku. Each row, column, and park needs a certain number of trees without them being next to each other.
  2. While checking if a proposed solution is correct is easy, finding that solution can be quite complex. Researchers found that the Parks puzzle belongs to a group of difficult problems called NP-complete.
  3. The puzzle can be used to model logical operations like AND and OR. This means it has connections to computer science concepts and can help explore complex problems.

#96 Puzzling design

Design Lobster • 179 implied HN points • 29 Nov 21
🎨 Art & Illustration Design Artifacts Quotes Puzzles
  1. Jigsaw puzzles were invented by John Spilsbury, starting as educational tools for children which later became popular as a therapeutic activity during the Great Depression.
  2. Puzzle jugs from the 18th century were designed with hidden tricks to prevent spills, showcasing how designs can incorporate elements of surprise and challenge for users.
  3. Design should aim to reduce clutter and confusion, but intentional puzzlement in design can sometimes offer satisfaction and intrigue to users.

Meta-knowledge

Metarational • 19 implied HN points • 26 Apr 21
🚌 Education Logic Puzzles Thinking Knowledge
  1. Meta-knowledge involves the understanding of other people's knowledge, leading to concepts like meta-meta-knowledge and common knowledge.
  2. Puzzles, like the blue eyes puzzle, are great examples to demonstrate the complexity and power of different levels of meta-knowledge.
  3. Understanding meta-knowledge is crucial in various contexts, helping to make sense of social customs and intuitions that may otherwise seem arbitrary or senseless.

I’m a Senior Software Engineer. What Will It Take For An AI To Do My Job?

Am I Stronger Yet? • 3 HN points • 20 Apr 23
🕹 Technology AI Software Engineering Memory Optimization Puzzles
  1. Current AI systems are still lacking critical cognitive abilities required for complex jobs.
  2. AI needs improvements in memory, exploration, puzzle-solving, judgement, clarity of thought, and theory of mind to excel in complex tasks.
  3. Addressing these gaps will be crucial for AI to reach artificial general intelligence and potentially replace certain human jobs.

Tricky Appointment Timings

Metarational • 0 implied HN points • 18 Oct 23
🚌 Education Puzzles
  1. The LSAC is removing logic games from the LSAT, causing disappointment.
  2. A challenging logical game involving appointment timings for five clients.
  3. Constraints shape the schedule, posing questions to solve based on rules and possibilities.