by Dave Youngs
This month's activity is a disentanglement puzzle. These puzzles range from simple to difficult and most appear, at first glance, to be impossible. Once they are carefully studied, however, solutions usually present themselves.
Since this puzzle is easily made from inexpensive materials, each student should have one. Make a sample copy of the puzzle beforehand to familiarize yourself with the construction process. This not only enables you to give students guidance as they make the puzzle, but it also provides you with an opportunity to try the puzzle yourself!
The hearts on worksheet 2 will make two puzzles. Copy the page on lightweight cardstock or oak tag. Each puzzle requires an 80 centimeter length of string, some tape, and two pennies (or other similar-sized objects). Follow the directions on worksheet 1 to construct the puzzle.
Once the puzzle is made, the first challenge is to separate (disentangle) the two hearts without cutting the string or removing the pennies. If you successfully separate the hearts, the second challenge is to join them together again. If the string gets too tangled, you may need to untape the pennies, remove and untangle the strings, and reconstruct the puzzle.
Activity Page One
Activity Page Two
I hope that you and your students enjoy this puzzle.