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Fort Fearless Wood Brain Teaser| 9 Different Math Puzzles
Regular price$32.49
Description
Description
The Fable: In the old west, the 78 soldiers manning the parapets at Ft. Fearless were surrounded by 119 Indians. Their only hope was in making the Indians think there were more soldiers in the fort. Major Burns reasoned the Indians might count the men in corner parapets twice as they could be seen from two adjacent sides.
He arranged the men so there were 22 men visible from each side; thus seemingly 88 men. Not enough... he repositioned them such that 23 were visible on each side… still not enough…
Before long he found he could position his men such that from 22 to 30 were visible on each side. When he finally put 30 on each side the Indians thought left as they thought they were outmanned with 120 men in the fort. How did he do each combination of 23 to 30 men per side?
Your goal: Position the blocks numbered 1 thru 12 such that 22 men appear on each side; then reposition them for 23 men on each side, then 24 etc… up to 30 on each side.
This is a puzzle of moderate degree of difficulty; appropriate for ages 10 and up.
Achieving the 22 or the 30 men per side challenge are the easiest to accomplish and may be very appropriate for Escape Rooms. When solved, the 4 numbers in the corners are unique and could be used as part of a clue or combination.
This is an old puzzle, to the best of our knowledge last seen from Peterson Mfg from 1975. We have reproduced this in a particularly nice format . It is an all wood construction with a base and cover. All text and numbers are deeply laser engraved. Playing instructions are also laser engraved in the base. Measures about 7” square in the frame.
Comes with written solutions to all 9 puzzles.
Made in our Hudson, FL shop.
To view a video, cut and paste this link:
https://youtu.be/PV1y735eP1E
Materials: Wood
He arranged the men so there were 22 men visible from each side; thus seemingly 88 men. Not enough... he repositioned them such that 23 were visible on each side… still not enough…
Before long he found he could position his men such that from 22 to 30 were visible on each side. When he finally put 30 on each side the Indians thought left as they thought they were outmanned with 120 men in the fort. How did he do each combination of 23 to 30 men per side?
Your goal: Position the blocks numbered 1 thru 12 such that 22 men appear on each side; then reposition them for 23 men on each side, then 24 etc… up to 30 on each side.
This is a puzzle of moderate degree of difficulty; appropriate for ages 10 and up.
Achieving the 22 or the 30 men per side challenge are the easiest to accomplish and may be very appropriate for Escape Rooms. When solved, the 4 numbers in the corners are unique and could be used as part of a clue or combination.
This is an old puzzle, to the best of our knowledge last seen from Peterson Mfg from 1975. We have reproduced this in a particularly nice format . It is an all wood construction with a base and cover. All text and numbers are deeply laser engraved. Playing instructions are also laser engraved in the base. Measures about 7” square in the frame.
Comes with written solutions to all 9 puzzles.
Made in our Hudson, FL shop.
To view a video, cut and paste this link:
https://youtu.be/PV1y735eP1E
Materials: Wood
Personalize it!
Personalize it!
Add a personalized laser engraving to your puzzle or game.
- Perfect for gifts
- Business marketing opportunity
Payment & Security
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Product Specifications
- Dimensions
- 7.5 × 7.5 × 0.75
- Materials
- Wood
- Difficulty Level
- Hard
- Age Range
- Teens (13-18 years), Adults (18+ years), Seniors (65+ years)
- Piece Count
- 12
- What's Included
- Puzzle board (1), Puzzle pieces (12), Wood cover (1), Instructions and solution sheet (1)
- Gift Occasions
- Christmas, Birthday
- Personalization Available
- Yes
- Puzzle Type
- Math, Logic, Escape Room
- Category
- Brain Teaser Puzzle
- Availability
- In Stock
Personalize It!
Did you know we can add a custom laser engraving to every puzzle and game? Well, we can. Add a personal touch to your gift with a name or message.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Fort Fearless brain teaser?
What is the Fort Fearless brain teaser?
It is an all-wood logic puzzle that packs nine challenges into one frame, based on a classic piece of recreational mathematics called a perimeter magic square. You arrange twelve numbered blocks around the border of a square so that each of the four sides adds up to the same target. The corner blocks count toward two sides at once, which is the trick that makes the whole thing work.
How do you play it?
How do you play it?
Place the blocks numbered 1 through 12 around the frame so that every side totals 22. Then rearrange them so every side totals 23, then 24, and so on up to 30. Each target is a separate puzzle, nine in all, and each one has its own written solution in the box. Because the four corners are shared between two sides, moving a block into or out of a corner changes two side-totals at once.
Where does the puzzle come from?
Where does the puzzle come from?
The idea of soldiers on the walls of a fort is a classic puzzle theme from the era of the great Victorian puzzle makers like Sam Loyd: a small garrison wants to look larger by showing the same number of men on each wall, and shifts men into the corner towers, which both adjacent walls can see, to change the count. The version we reproduced traces to a 1975 edition by Peterson Manufacturing, rebuilt here as a hand-made all-wood puzzle in our Hudson, Florida shop. The math underneath it, arranging numbers around a border so each side sums alike, is the perimeter magic square that recreational mathematicians have studied for well over a century.
How hard is it, and who is it for?
How hard is it, and who is it for?
It is a moderate challenge, good for ages 10 and up, which makes it a favorite of math teachers, homeschoolers, and puzzle fans who like a teaser they can return to. The nine targets let you start easy, since the 22 and 30 arrangements are the simplest to find.
Can it be used in an escape room?
Can it be used in an escape room?
Yes, and it is built well for one. When a puzzle is solved, the four corner numbers form a unique set, so they make a natural four-number code or combination for a lock or a clue. The 22 and 30 challenges are easy enough to keep a room moving.
What is it made of, and what is included?
What is it made of, and what is included?
It is solid wood with a base and a fitted cover, about 7 inches square. The text and numbers are deeply laser-engraved rather than printed, and the playing instructions are engraved right into the base, so nothing rubs off or gets lost. It comes with written solutions to all nine puzzles.
Can I personalize Fort Fearless?
Can I personalize Fort Fearless?
Yes. Fort Fearless can be personalized with a custom laser engraving. Add a name, date, or short message when you order. See our laser engraving page for details and examples. For a custom logo or artwork, request a quote for custom work.
Where is it made and how does it ship?
Where is it made and how does it ship?
It is handmade in our Hudson, Florida shop and ships from our Florida shop, with standard orders on their way within one business day.
