An empty Rice Krispies box, measuring 12 by 25 by 36 cm,
is lying on the floor on one of its 25 by 36 cm faces.
An ant, located at one of the bottom corners of the box,
must crawl along the outside of the box to reach the opposite bottom corner.
What is the length of the shortest such path?

    Note:
  • The ant can walk on any of the five faces of the box, except for the bottom face, which is flush in contact with the floor.
  • It can crawl along any of the edges.
  • It cannot crawl under the box.

 

Solution to the Problem:

António Baptista used a book and a rubber band to get started. This will display the minimum path. He sent in a diagram showing this shortest path along with his solution.

Correctly solved by:

1. Jim Arrison Norristown, Pennsylvania
2. William Proffitt Winchester, Virginia
3. Keith Mealy Cincinnati, Ohio
4. David & Judy Dixon Bennettsville, South Carolina
5. Walt Arrison Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
6. Mike Singer Winchester, Virginia
7. António Baptista Lisboa - Portugal
8. Daniel Surber Winchester, Virginia
9. Rob Adams Winchester, Virginia
10. James Alarie University of Michigan -- Flint,
Flint, Michigan
11. Nathan Seifert Harrisonburg, Virginia
12. Mikael Holmquist, Jonas Melin, Johnas Eklö f Tullängsskolan, Sweden
13. Tom Robb Winchester, Virginia
14. James Simmons Harrisonburg, Virginia
15. Arsalan Heydarian Harrisonburg, Virginia
16. Wajih Ansari Harrisonburg, Virginia
17. Angel Plaza Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria,
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
18. Chris Hernley Winchester, Virginia
19. Justin Crabill Harrisonburg, Virginia
20. Jeffrey Gaither Winchester, Virginia