All about flooble | fun stuff | Get a free chatterbox | Free JavaScript | Avatars    
perplexus dot info

Home > Shapes
Tent folding (Posted on 2004-12-30) Difficulty: 2 of 5
In folding an irregularly shaped tent, I managed to get the shape of a triangle, which was evenly thick. Unfortunately, the best way to fold a tent is in a rectangle that is evenly thick. How can I fold a triangle into a rectangle without making some parts of it thicker than others?

See The Solution Submitted by Tristan    
Rating: 3.0000 (2 votes)

Comments: ( Back to comment list | You must be logged in to post comments.)
Another proof | Comment 6 of 8 |
This is an easy one but still great. Here is a proof for the method given.

The first fold is parallel to the base. Since the vertex now touches the other side, this fold is equidistant from that vertex as it is from the other side.

Due to similar triangles, the fold is half the area of the base, and its height (from the triangle's base) equals half the triangle's height. So its area is half the triangle's area.

In addition, the first fold's intersection with the two sides bisects both of them. Due to this and the first fold's length being half of the base, one can fold the two remaining corners so the sides touch, to form a rectangle.

  Posted by Gamer on 2007-10-08 19:52:25
Please log in:
Login:
Password:
Remember me:
Sign up! | Forgot password


Search:
Search body:
Forums (0)
Newest Problems
Random Problem
FAQ | About This Site
Site Statistics
New Comments (12)
Unsolved Problems
Top Rated Problems
This month's top
Most Commented On

Chatterbox:
Copyright © 2002 - 2024 by Animus Pactum Consulting. All rights reserved. Privacy Information