Conceptual Illusion

The parts used in the concept illusion look like the three parts shown here. The parts used include sticks, elbows and slips. The number of parts used is shown below. 4 Elbows 4 Sticks 8 Slips

Each of the pictures below shows the parts partially assembled. Each picture shows a different view of the same parts. One stick is inserted into one elbow and held in place with one slip and an additional slip is on the opposite end to aid in assembly. These partially assembled parts are viewed from the top, bottom, outside and inside

TOP View

BOTTOM View

OUTSIDE View

INSIDE View

Imagine a small robot placed in the circle on one of the elbows: The robot can start on any circle. The robot must follow the green line. The robot can go forward but can not go backward and can not retrace any path once it is traveled. The First Task: Imagine a method to assemble the parts so that the robot will start and end in the same circle no matter which circle is chosen. The Second Task: Determine the following: Which starting circle gives the shortest path. Which circle gives the longest path. How many different paths are there (one path can include more than one circles).???