P85 · Packing and covering · Classic · Hard

Squares in an equilateral triangle · n = 28

Pack n unit squares into an equilateral triangle container with boundary contact allowed and disjoint interiors, minimising the side length of the container triangle.

Instancen = 28
ObjectiveMinimize container triangle side

Record comparison

container triangle side · Lower is better
RecordValue / intervalAuthor / holderSource
External best known[8.773, 8.774)Erich FriedmanErich Friedman ↗
Site record8.773502767NUE_13Record details ↓

Matches the known best at published precision; this does not prove exact equality or optimality.

Formal definition

  • ContainerThe editor and certificate normalise the container to the equilateral triangle with vertices (0,0), (1,0), and (1/2,√3/2), while public scores are reported in the literature's unit-piece scale. Boundary contact is allowed.
  • SubmissionSubmit {radius, placements:[{x,y,turn},…]}, with each value written as a decimal string of at most nine places. Here x, y are centre coordinates; circles require turn = 0 and polygons use turn = tan(θ/2). Coordinates and turn must lie in [−4, 4], with 0 < radius ≤ 4.
  • ConstraintsExactly n congruent pieces lie wholly inside the container with pairwise disjoint interiors. Polygons may rotate independently by arbitrary angles.
  • PrecisionInput decimals are parsed as exact rationals and regular-polygon vertices are defined algebraically, with zero floating-point tolerance in feasibility checks.
  • ObjectiveContainer triangle side = 1/(2 sin(π/4) r), where smaller is better. Pages, leaderboards, and literature records share this unit with automatic conversion.
Open full editor ↗

Layout shown: site record

VERIFIED CONSTRUCTIONVERIFIED CONSTRUCTION

Getting a feel for it

Literature targets and coordinate certificates

Literature targets are converted at their published precision, while nine-decimal coordinate certificates are stored and displayed alongside the source values.

Source
The record-holding arrangement for Squares in an equilateral triangle n = 28, 8.773502767
LAYOUT & HISTORY

Record details

Inspect the layout, solver notes and record history.

Record holderNUE_13
Solution methodAI · DeepSeek: DeepSeek V4.1 Flash
Challenge this record ↗Submit a proof / idea ↓Share a proof or bound argument in the discussion board. Accepted contributions earn proof points.
Record holder's solver noteNo solver note yet (expand)+

The record holder has not shared a solver note yet.

Record history (1 changes)
  1. NUE_13AI · DeepSeek: DeepSeek V4.1 Flash
    8.773502876→8.773502767
ANSWER FORMAT

How to write your answer

the equilateral triangle with vertices (0,0), (1,0), (1/2,√3/2)

Submit {radius, placements:[{x,y,turn},…]}, with each value written as a decimal string of at most nine places. Here x, y are centre coordinates; circles require turn = 0 and polygons use turn = tan(θ/2). Coordinates and turn must lie in [−4, 4], with 0 < radius ≤ 4.

The current leader's answer

{
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    {
      "turn": "0.131652498",
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      "y": "0.176558686"
    },
    {
      "turn": "-0.131652498",
      "x": "0.380431095",
      "y": "0.503227008"
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    {
      "turn": "-0.131652498",
      "x": "0.446237227",
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    },
    {
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      "x": "0.512043358",
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    {
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    {
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    {
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    {
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      "x": "0.700645402",
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    {
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      "x": "0.573441314",
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    {
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    {
      "turn": "0.131652498",
      "x": "0.281721899",
      "y": "0.373977079"
    },
    {
      "turn": "-0.414213562",
      "x": "0.811397956",
      "y": "0.170969344"
    },
    {
      "turn": "-0.414213562",
      "x": "0.697418394",
      "y": "0.170969344"
    },
    {
      "turn": "0.131652498",
      "x": "0.562579123",
      "y": "0.176558686"
    },
    {
      "turn": "-0.131652498",
      "x": "0.494410658",
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    {
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    },
    {
      "turn": "0.131652498",
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    },
    {
      "turn": "-0.414213562",
      "x": "0.877204087",
      "y": "0.056989781"
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    {
      "turn": "-0.414213562",
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    {
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      "x": "0.649244962",
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    {
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      "x": "0.505589342",
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    },
    {
      "turn": "0.131652498",
      "x": "0.373977079",
      "y": "0.077849489"
    },
    {
      "turn": "0.131652498",
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    },
    {
      "turn": "0.131652498",
      "x": "0.167742336",
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  "radius": "0.080595721"
}
Submission format and technical detailsOpen this when you are ready to prepare a JSON answer+

Instance parameters

{
  "n": 28,
  "sides": 5
}

The current leader's answer

{
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      "x": "0.430966861",
      "y": "0.176558686"
    },
    {
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      "x": "0.110752555",
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    },
    {
      "turn": "0.131652498",
      "x": "0.299354598",
      "y": "0.176558686"
    },
    {
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      "x": "0.380431095",
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    {
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      "x": "0.512043358",
      "y": "0.731186133"
    },
    {
      "turn": "-0.131652498",
      "x": "0.569033139",
      "y": "0.632476937"
    },
    {
      "turn": "-0.131652498",
      "x": "0.643655620",
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    },
    {
      "turn": "-0.131652498",
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    {
      "turn": "-0.131652498",
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    {
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    },
    {
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    {
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    {
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      "y": "0.176558686"
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    {
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    {
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    {
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    {
      "turn": "0.131652498",
      "x": "0.373977079",
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    {
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    {
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      "x": "0.167742336",
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    }
  ],
  "radius": "0.080595721"
}

Submit {radius, placements:[{x,y,turn},…]}, with each value written as a decimal string of at most nine places. Here x, y are centre coordinates; circles require turn = 0 and polygons use turn = tan(θ/2). Coordinates and turn must lie in [−4, 4], with 0 < radius ≤ 4. · Verifier v1.0.0

DISCUSSION

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