CLEOPATRA'S SQUARE.

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 150, 21 December 1929, Page 34

CLEOPATRA'S SQUARE.

As no doubt the reader at this time of the year will prefer a few problem games as being" more seasonable, three geometrical puzzles requiring no calculations whatever, and also a couple of problem games are submitted for his mental delectation. The first is the problem known as Cleopatra's square, somewhat similar to J.C.'s. "Egyptian" square, which "D. E. P." states both amused and tried the patience of •his friends when published some time ago. Take a square piece of cardboard or .stiff paper of suitable size, say Bix 8 inches with clean-cut edges, and mark the exact centre of each side; then draw a line from each point to an opposite corner so that. the two lines from the top and bottom centres will be parellel to one another, and likewise those from the centres of the other two sides, these parallel lines to intersect at right angles. There will thus be a. small square shown in the centre, one ■of whose sides should also be marked in the exact centre, and ,a line>drawn to one of its opposite corners. The cardboard should then be cut along the marked lines with a sharp knife to secure clean edges, and the puzzle is, after well shuffling these ten pieces^ to form them into the original square. To do this blindfolded adds to the amusement of the puzzle and makes it a little more difficult.