Henry Ernest Dudeney/Puzzles and Curious Problems/233 - The Nougat Puzzle/Solution

by : $233$

 * The Nougat Puzzle

Solution
$24$ pieces.

Proof
Cut off and throw away a piece $1$ inch thick off the end, leaving a block $15$ inches long.

Then cut the block into two pieces:
 * $15$ inches long, $5$ inches wide, and $7 \tfrac 1 2$ inches deep
 * $15$ inches long, $3$ inches wide, and $7 \tfrac 1 2$ inches deep.

The former can be cut into $15$ piece of nougat $5$ inches by $3$ inches by $2 \tfrac 1 2$ inches.

The latter can be cut into $9$ piece of nougat $5$ inches by $3$ inches by $2 \tfrac 1 2$ inches.