Tiling puzzles are puzzles involving two-dimensional packing problems in which a number of flat shapes have to be assembled into a larger given shape without overlaps (and often without gaps).[1] Some tiling puzzles ask players to dissect a given shape first and then rearrange the pieces into another shape. Other tiling puzzles ask players to dissect a given shape while fulfilling certain conditions. The two latter types of tiling puzzles are also called dissection puzzles.

Example of a tiling puzzle that utilizes negative space.

Tiling puzzles may be made from wood, metal, cardboard, plastic or any other sheet-material. Many tiling puzzles are now available as computer games.

Tiling puzzles have a long history. Some of the oldest and most famous are jigsaw puzzles and the tangram puzzle.

Other examples of tiling puzzles include:

Many three-dimensional mechanical puzzles can be regarded as three-dimensional tiling puzzles.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Fletcher III, Raymond R. (April 24, 2020). Polyparallelogram Puzzles and Tiling Problems (1st ed.). Xlibris. pp. 4–5. ISBN 978-1-7960-9790-0.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)