Solve the Secret Werewolf Riddle: Dividing the Antidote

The Werewolf Antidote Riddle: Can You Divide the Cure?

You're on a critical mission: to save your town from a werewolf. After relentless investigation, you've narrowed down the suspects to five individuals: the mayor, the tailor, the baker, the grocer, and the carpenter. Your plan is simple – administer a werewolf antidote during a dinner party. However, a twist of fate leaves you with only one square of the antidote. Can you precisely divide it into fifths to cure the werewolf and save the day?

The Challenge

The remaining antidote square weighs 50 grams, and the minimum effective dose is 10 grams. To administer the cure, you must divide the square into five equal portions. You have access to a precise laser-cutting tool with eight points that can serve as starting or ending points for each cut. The laser cutter requires pairs of points to determine the start and end of each cut, executing all cuts simultaneously.

• You can cut the square into as many pieces as needed.
• The goal is to group the pieces into five 10-gram portions.
• Folding or altering the square is not allowed.
• You have only one chance to use the laser cutter.

With the full moon rising, the clock is ticking. Can you solve this intricate puzzle, divide the antidote perfectly, and prevent a monstrous transformation?

Cracking the Code: A Geometric Solution

When faced with cutting and rearranging puzzles, a hands-on approach can be invaluable. Experimenting with a physical representation can spark insights and lead to a solution.

Initially, cutting the square in half and then in half again might seem like a viable approach, but this only yields fourths. The challenge lies in shaving off a precise amount from a quarter to achieve exactly one-fifth.

Consider these steps:

1. Make a cut from point B to E.
2. Make a cut from point D to G.
3. Make a cut from point F to A.
4. Make a cut from point H to C.

These four cuts create four triangles and a square in the middle. The key is that the pieces forming each triangle can be rearranged to form a square identical to the central one. This ingenious arrangement divides the antidote into five perfect, equal portions.

The Power of Experimentation

While a purely geometric approach is possible, experimentation can often lead to a quicker solution. By trying different cuts and observing the resulting shapes, you can stumble upon the arrangement that yields perfect fifths. This approach is particularly effective when the number of potential cut points is limited.

A Triumphant Conclusion

With the antidote precisely divided, you administer the doses to the five suspects. As the full moon reaches its zenith, a terrifying transformation begins, only to be abruptly reversed. Your precise measurements and careful execution have saved the town from the werewolf's wrath.

This puzzle highlights the power of creative problem-solving and the importance of thinking outside the box. By combining geometric principles with hands-on experimentation, you can conquer even the most challenging riddles and emerge victorious.