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Breaking up a horseshoe (Oct. 2026 Challenge Question)

Posted October 01, 2026 12:00 AM
Pathfinder Tags: challenge question

You have this iron horseshoe. You are also a talented machinist.

1. Can you cut this horseshoe into 6 different pieces, using two straight cuts, without repositioning the workpieces?
2. Can you cut this horseshoe into 6 different pieces - each piece with a hole - using two straight cuts? Yes, you can reposition the workpieces.

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Rixter
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#1

Re: Breaking up a horseshoe (Oct. 2026 Challenge Question)

10/01/2026 10:37 AM

1. Can you cut this horseshoe into 6 different pieces, using two straight cuts, without repositioning the workpieces?

Here's the first part...
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Rixter
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Location: About 4000 miles from the center of the earth (+/-100 mi)
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Re: Breaking up a horseshoe (Oct. 2026 Challenge Question)

10/01/2026 10:51 AM

2. Can you cut this horseshoe into 6 different pieces - each piece with a hole - using two straight cuts? Yes, you can reposition the workpieces.

Make cut1.

Rotate bottom piece 90 degrees and move it between the two top pieces

Make cut2 across all three pieces between the holes.
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Deefburger
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Re: Breaking up a horseshoe (Oct. 2026 Challenge Question)

10/01/2026 11:22 PM

I can get 8 pieces with 3 cuts and no holes.

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Previous in Blog: The Line Illusion (September 2026 Challenge Question)  

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