Cutting a cube into 27

MediumBrainteasers~5m

A 3×3×33\times 3\times 3 wooden cube is to be cut into twenty-seven 1×1×11\times 1\times 1 cubes. Between cuts you may rearrange and stack the pieces freely. What is the minimum number of straight (planar) cuts needed?

Show hints (2)+
  1. Think about the center cube of the 3×3×33\times3\times3. How are its six faces created?
  2. Each of its 66 faces needs its own cut (stacking can't help), so 66.

Answer

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6

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Asked at: Jane Street, Optiver

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