How to Solve the Hercules Tray Brain Teaser
Brain teaser puzzles make great party favors and stocking stuffers. The first patents for puzzles were registered during the Victorian era, although the first mechanical puzzle can be traced back to the 3rd century B.C. Puzzle Master Incorporated is the maker of many brain teasers including "Hercules." Solutions to all their puzzles are included with the puzzle and are available upon application to the company's website. The puzzle consists of a small square tray into which five pieces of the same shape must be fitted. Keep in mind that there will be spaces in the tray and that the pieces do not interlock exactly, as is common with this type of puzzle.
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Instructions
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1
Lay the square tray and the five pieces in front of you. Think of the pieces as having a vertical and a horizontal with a notch which meet at a right angle axis similar to the shape of a stylized capital letter "L". The easiest way to complete this puzzle is by placing one piece and working clockwise from that piece.
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2
Take one "L" piece and turn it so that your "L" is facing backwards. Pick up this piece and place it with its horizontal side flush with the right side of the puzzle tray. The position of the right angle axis will be approximately one-sixth of the way from the top right corner of the tray.
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3
Take a second "L" piece and, again, turn it so that your "L" is facing backwards. Place the end point of the horizontal side in the middle of the bottom of the puzzle tray and holding the end point in place, tilt the horizontal side so that it lies at a 45 degree angle with the bottom.
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4
Take a third "L" piece and turn it until its vertical side becomes the horizontal. Its right angle axis will now fit into the horizontal notch of the second piece.
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5
Take the fourth 'L" piece and fit the end of its horizontal into the horizontal notch on the third piece.
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6
Fit the final "L" piece into the puzzle tray by placing the end of its horizontal into the horizontal notch on the fourth piece.
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Tips & Warnings
Take a photograph of the finished puzzle to keep as your quick reference solution.
