Lazy Geometry |
Homework: What is the laziest way to construct a regular pentagon
using a straight edge, a compass and a piece of paper?
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Answer: Fold or tear the paper into a strip. Loop the strip throuh
itself like a knot. You now have a regular pentagon!
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BUY
Euclid and Thomas L. Heath (editor),
Thirteen Books of Euclids Elements, Books 1 and 2, Dover, 1956.
Euclid and Thomas L. Heath (editor),
Thirteen Books of Euclids Elements, Books 3 - 9, Dover, 1956.
Euclid and Thomas L. Heath (editor),
Thirteen Books of Euclids Elements, Books 10 - 13, Dover, 1956.
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Euclid's Elements
is a complete reference on Euclidean geometry,
both on the plane and in space. The first two volumes are very
readable to high school students. The third volume is about solid
geometry. It might be more challenging to some teenagers. In any
case, Euclid's Elements is a classic and should be on every shelf.
These Dover books are very affordable and long-lasting.
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David Hilbert and Leo Unger (translator),
Foundations of Geometry, Open Court, 1988.
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Hilbert is one of the most brilliant mathematicians of
the 20th century.
In Foundations of Geometry,
Hilbert takes us through
the various sets of axioms of geometry. We see that
some sets of axioms result in non-Euclidean geometry while
some are plain inconsistent. This inexpensive paperback
is good reading for advanced high school students and
college math majors.
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Tomoko Fuse,
Unit Origami: Multidimensional Transformations, Japan, 1990.
Kunihiko Kasahara,
Origami Omnibus: Paper-Folding for Everybody, Kodansha International, 1998.
Kunihiko Kasahara and Toshie Takahama,
Origami for the Connoisseur, Kodansha International, 1998.
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These origami books are truly spectacular.
Unit Origami
is a book about folding paper into colorful patterns, shapes and
assembling them into 3-dimensional objects. The constructions
are precisely designed and engineered.
Origami for the Connoisseur
is exactly what it says: unique creations by modern
masters, including Kawasaki's Rose, the most famous of
all modern origami.
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