I have often had occasion to remark on the practical utility of puzzles,
arising out of an application to the ordinary affairs of life of the
little tricks and "wrinkles" that we learn while solving recreation
problems.
[Illustration]
The joiner, in the illustration, wants to cut the piece of wood into as
few pieces as possible to form a square table-top, without any waste of
material. How should he go to work? How many pieces would you require?