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Planik and Square Dance, Two Planar Permutation Games

Solving a Simpler Rubik’s Cube With Group Theory

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Abstract

The Planik is a two-dimensional version of a game close to the Rubik’s cube. We present this game and the group theoretical background required to solve it. We adopt a low-profile style for students to be able to follow and add comments aimed at a more experienced audience. We conclude with notes concerning a second family of games that shares similarities with the Planik.

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Correspondence to Olivier Ramaré.

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Olivier Ramaré is a French number theorist who is also involved in the dissemination of science through large audience talks or mathematical games.

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Ramaré, O. Planik and Square Dance, Two Planar Permutation Games. Reson 28, 1685–1699 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12045-023-1706-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12045-023-1706-1

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