A cube is assembled with $27$ white cubes. The larger cube is then painted black on the outside and disassembled. A blind man reassembles it. What is the probability that the cube is now completely black on the outside? Give an approximation of the size of your answer.
First, we find the probability that the cubes are positioned correctly to be able to provide as many black faces as necessary.
There are 8 corner cubes, which must go at the 8 corners.
There are 12 edge cubes, which must go at the 12 edges.
There are 6 face-center cubes, which must go at the 6 face-centers.
There is one center cube, which must go at the center.
The probability is $\frac{8!\cdot 12!\cdot 6!\cdot 1!}{27!}$.
Next, we find the probability that, if the cubes are positioned correctly, they are oriented correctly.
The black corner of the corner cubes must face outward, so the probability is $(1/8)^8$.
The black edge of the edge cubes must face outward, so the probability is $(1/12)^{12}$.
The black face of the face-center cubes must face outward, so the probability is $(1/6)^6$.
The center cube can be oriented any way.
The complete probability is $\frac{8!\cdot 12!\cdot 6!\cdot 1!}{27!}\cdot\frac{1}{8^8 \cdot 12^{12} \cdot 6^6}$,
which works out to be 1/5465062811999459151238583897240371200, roughly $1.83 \times 10^{-37}$.