Given Data

1. A painted cube is divided into 3 x 3 x 3 equal cubes.

Question

Verify how many small cubes have at least one face painted.

Answer

26.

Solution

1. The total number of small cubes is 3 x 3 x 3 = 27.
2. Only the single central cube is unpainted: (3 - 2)^3 = 1.
3. 27 - 1 = 26 cubes have at least one face painted.