How to Solve Snake Cube Brain Teaser

The snake cube puzzle consists of 27 groups of two or three squares each.

The snake cube is a brain teaser requiring you to reassemble a long snake into a 3 x 3 cube. The snake is made out of 27 blocks split into groups of two or three squares each of which must be manipulated in the correct order and direction to make the cube. To solve the cube, you must manipulate each group in a particular direction.

Things You'll Need

• Snake cube puzzle
• Table
• Sticky notes
• Marker

Instructions

1. Lay the unsolved puzzle flat on the table. Orient it so that the first group of squares is pointing towards the left of the table.

2. Label the groups 1 through 17, using sticky notes. Place each label on the table next to the group it represents.

3. On a sticky note, draw an x, y, and z axis to remind you of the three directions you may move. X is the horizontal axis, Z is the vertical axis, and y is the diagonal axis. The y-axis goes up and to the right.

4. Solve the puzzle. Move the first group in the direction of the x-axis, the second group in the direction of the y-axis, the third group in the direction of the x-axis, and the fourth group in the direction of the z-axis. Move the fifth group in the direction of the y-axis and the sixth group in the direction of the z-axis. Move the seventh group in the direction of the x-axis, the eight group in the direction of the z-axis, and the ninth group in the direction of the y-axis. Move the 10th group in the direction of the x-axis, the 11th group in the direction of the y-axis, and the 12th group in the direction of the z-axis. Move the 13th group in the direction of the y-axis, the 14th group in the direction of the z-axis, the 15th group in the direction of the y-axis, and the 16th group in the direction of the x-axis. Move the final group in the direction of the y-axis.

References

• Mathemastische Basteleien: The Snake Cube