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Multilink Cubes

If you had 36 cubes, what different cuboids could you make?

Construct-o-straws

Make a cube out of straws and have a go at this practical challenge.

Cereal Packets

How can you put five cereal packets together to make different shapes if you must put them face-to-face?

The Third Dimension

Age 5 to 11
Challenge Level

Here are four cubes joined together:
 
three cubes joined horizontally with one joined at left end on top
 
We can draw this arrangement of cubes on dotty paper (isometric paper) which gives us a way of drawing 3D objects more easily:
 
isometric grid showing arrangement of cubes above
 
How many other arrangements of four cubes can you find?
Can you draw them on dotty paper? It's more difficult than it looks!
If you don't have any isometric paper, click here.
The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice.
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NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.