Algorithms For Dummies

Understanding Spatial Issues

To put this particular problem into context, think about moving boxes around in 

a warehouse or some other situations in which you need to consider the space in 

which things move. Obviously, if you have many boxes in a big warehouse and 

they all require a forklift to pick up, you don’t want to try to figure out how to 

store them optimally by physically rearranging them. This is where you need to 

work through the problem by visualizing a solution.

However, the question is whether all spatial problems have a solution. In this case, 

think about one of those kids’ puzzles that has you putting a picture together by 

sliding the little tiles around. It seems as if a solution should exist in all cases, but 

in some situations, a bad starting point can result in a situation that has no  

solution.  You  can  find  a  discussion  of  such  a  problem  at 

http://math.stack 

exchange.com/questions/754827/does-a-15-puzzle-always-have-a-solution

.

Mathematicians such as Sam Loyd (see 

https://www.mathsisfun.com/puzzles/

sam-loyd-puzzles-index.html

) often use puzzles to demonstrate complex math 

problems, some of which have no solution today. Visiting these sites is fun because 

you not only get some free entertainment but also, food for thought. The issues 

that these puzzles raise do have practical applications, but they’re presented in a 

fun way.

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