Hilbert's Third Problem - Original Question

Original Question

Hilbert's original question was more complicated: given any two tetrahedra T1 and T2 with equal base area and equal height (and therefore equal volume), is it always possible to find a finite number of tetrahedra, so that when these tetrahedra are glued in some way to T1 and also glued to T2, the resulting polyhedra are scissors-congruent?

Dehn's invariant can be used to yield a negative answer also to this stronger question.

Read more about this topic:  Hilbert's Third Problem

Famous quotes containing the words original and/or question:

    Every man is a creative cause of what happens, a primum mobile with an original movement.
    Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)

    I herewith commission you to carry out all preparations with regard to ... a total solution of the Jewish question in those territories of Europe which are under German influence.... I furthermore charge you to submit to me as soon as possible a draft showing the ... measures already taken for the execution of the intended final solution of the Jewish question.
    Hermann Goering (1893–1946)