Math Monday: Paper knot pentagons

Science
Math Monday: Paper knot pentagons

By George Hart for the Museum of Mathematics

Math_Monday_banner02_600px.jpg

If you take a long strip of paper, tie a simple overhand knot in it, tighten it up, and press it flat, the result is a regular pentagon.

knot-strip.jpg knot-star.jpg

That construction is well known, and can be found, for example, in Martin Gardner’s Second Book of Mathematical Puzzles and Diversions, where it is also pointed out that if you add one more fold and hold the paper up to the light, a pentagram shows through. Try it!

knot-sphere.jpg

A newer idea I haven’t seen before is to continue knotting the strip into complex spherical patterns. Heinz Strobl designed this paper sphere made of 120 knots. It has twelve star-shaped openings and twenty openings that are nine-sided. This model is made by Rosa Sanchez. Instructions to make your own are given by Paula Versnick here.

More:
See all of George’s Math Monday columns

Discuss this article with the rest of the community on our Discord server!
Tagged

Gareth Branwyn is a freelance writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books on technology, DIY, and geek culture. He is currently a contributor to Boing Boing, Wink Books, and Wink Fun. His free weekly-ish maker tips newsletter can be found at garstipsandtools.com.

View more articles by Gareth Branwyn

ADVERTISEMENT

Maker Faire Bay Area 2023 - Mare Island, CA

Escape to an island of imagination + innovation as Maker Faire Bay Area returns for its 15th iteration!

Buy Tickets today! SAVE 15% and lock-in your preferred date(s).

FEEDBACK