Archive for 2008

Paperdolls!

The topology of paper doll folding patterns explains geometrical symmetries, as Chaim explains in this short video:

(And much more deeply in The Symmetries of Things.)

The video was produced by Research Frontiers, at the University of Arkansas

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EO. Spaghetti Loops

Just why does e appear in so many guises?

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EN. Plinko

We settle some business and address the game of Plinko.

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EM. Awash in Billiard Balls

We discuss math on TV, the smallest ungoogleable number and a devilish game with billiard balls.

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EL. Math Dance with Dr Schaffer and Mr Stern

Karl Schaffer of Math Dance shows us some geometry tricks!

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EK. The Law of Small Numbers

We answer last weeks puzzle, discuss the law of small numbers and ask again what is the smallest positive counting number that Google can’t find?

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EJ. Math Factor at the Farmer’s Market

We visit the Fayetteville Farmer’s Market, soliciting math questions, and pose a problem about funny walks.

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EI. How to Pass a Cube Through Itself!

We conclude our interview with Dana Richards, editor of Martin Gardner’s Colossal Book of Short Puzzles and Problems pondering how to cut a hole through a cube large enough that another, same-sized cube can pass through!

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Follow Up: The Harmonic Series

That the worm falls off the end of the rope depends on the fact that the incredible
harmonic series

1 + 1/2 + 1/3 + 1/4 + . . .
diverges to infinity, growing as large as you please!

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EH. The Worm Makes It!

Dana Richards, editor of Martin Gardner’s Colossal Book of Short Puzzles and Problems explains why the worm makes it, in only about 15,092,688,622,113,788,323,693,563,264,538,101,449,859,497 steps! (Give or take a few.) This incredible fact depends on the mysterious Harmonic Series, discussed a little more in our next post.

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