4 x 4 Checkered Square Puzzle

Can you assemble the four pieces to create a 4×4 square with a checkered pattern?

Instructions

Place the four provided pieces on the 4 x 4 grid to form a square with a checkered pattern.

Puzzle Source

I ran across this puzzle in a collection of 199 different mathematical puzzles that is offered as a free download from IREM de Lyon. This is a top-notch puzzle resource if you speak French.

I sadly do not speak French, but I was able to use the Google Translate app to translate quite a few of the puzzle instructions in order to use them in my classroom. Other puzzles I typed up from this same resource is the U Sums Puzzle, Magic H Puzzle, Lines of 3 Puzzle, and Equal Sums Puzzle.

This specific puzzle is #139 – Damier 4×4.

Notes for Using this Puzzle in the Classroom

When I ran across the book of 199 math puzzles from IREM de Lyon, I excitedly typed up probably 10 or so puzzles to use with my students.

I didn’t realize that this 4 x 4 checkered puzzle was so easy. Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t have bothered to type it up. This puzzle is definitely more suited for much younger students than my high school juniors and seniors. LOL.

Hopefully some of you who work with younger students will still be able to use this as a puzzle in your own classroom. If you do try it with high schoolers or adults – please do be prepared for them to solve it in a lot less time than it took you to cut out the four pieces.

Previously, I have tried a MUCH LARGER checkerboard puzzle with my students called Eight Checkered L’s. It was so difficult that I have only had 1 or 2 students ever solve it.