The Quest to Find Rectangles in a Square

2/19/2023

This New York Times article discusses a mathematical puzzle known as the 'Happy Rectangles' problem. The puzzle involves arranging rectangles of different sizes in a grid to create a perfectly rectangular shape without any gaps. The article explains the history and origins of the puzzle, as well as the efforts made by mathematicians to find an efficient algorithm to solve it. It also delves into the broader field of combinatorics and the applications of this type of puzzle in various industries, such as computer graphics and optimization. The article concludes by highlighting the ongoing fascination with puzzles in the field of mathematics and the impact they have on our understanding of complex systems.

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