"The challenge looks easy, but many people find it surprisingly difficult. In one academic study from 1997, the T-puzzle was given to five undergraduates. The fastest solved it in 2mins 20secs and the next fastest in 9mins 13secs. The other three were unable to solve it within 15 minutes, at which point they were all given a hint, and they solved it shortly after that."
"You can move the pieces with your thumb/mouse and rotate them by clicking, or pressing the buttons. The third button is for flips. The interactive puzzle also has a timer, which stops when the puzzle is solved. We'll be collecting data on how long people take to get the solutions, and I will present the results in a new post at 5pm UK today with the solution for those people still scratching their heads."
"If you prefer a physical version of the puzzle, click here for a printable pdf from which you can cut out the four pieces. Tiling puzzles were popular in the 19th century and the T-puzzle, with only four pieces, was one of the best-known. It was widely disseminated by companies who handed out paper versions as giveaways, and also sold commercially as a wooden toy."
The T-puzzle requires rearranging four flat pieces to form a T shape within a fixed template. Pieces may be rotated and flipped but cannot overlap. Interactive controls allow moving pieces by touch or mouse, rotating via clicks or buttons, and flipping with a dedicated control. A timer records completion time. A printable PDF provides a cut-out physical version. A 1997 study showed wide variation in solving times among five undergraduates, with two solving quickly and three needing hints after 15 minutes. Historical notes indicate tiling puzzles were popular in the 19th century and the T-puzzle circulated as paper giveaways and wooden toys.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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