Date: 21 Dec 1981 1522-PST From: ISAACS at SRI-KL Subject: new cube game To: cube-lovers at MIT-MC I just got a new cube puzzle, called "Color Cube Mental Game". Not a Rubik's cube, but still combinatorial, and a lot easier. It consists of 8 cubes in a 3x3 box, arranged around the perimeter (so there is a cubical hole in the center). The cubes are colored on all 6 sides (identically in mine). They roll by tilting them over an edge to an adjacent vacant space, and they change colors in doing so. The puzzle, of course, is to roll them and randomize the pattern, then restore the original color (or a new color). What patterns can be made? What is the minimum number of rolls to solve from some pattern to another? This type of puzzle was talked about in Journal of Recreational Mathematics, and similar types in Mathematical Games by Martin Gardner (I can give more accurate references if anyone wants). Here's the last paragraph on the "instruction" sheet: "It should be finished. please don't dishearten and try your best till you can complete the all test. Good Luck!!!" --- Stan ------- Happy Holidays to all -------