MATHEMATICS THROUGH

PAPER FOLDING
Alton T. Olson

INDIAN EDITION BY
Mathematical Sciences Trust Society
 Mathematics
through
Paper Folding

ALTON T. OLSON

University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF TEACHERS OF MATHEMATICS

MATHEMATICAL ASSOCIATION OF INDIA

 Copyright © 1976 by
THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF TEACHERS OF MATHEMATICS, INC.
1906 Association Drive, Reston, Virginia 22091
All rights reserved

Sixth printing 1989

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data:

Olson, Alton T
Mathematics through paper folding.
Bibliography: p.
1. Mathematics—Study and teaching—Audio-visual
aids. 2. Paperwork. I. Title.
QA19.P34038 516'.2 75-16115
ISBN 0-87353-076-4

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Mathematical Association of India expresses its

sincere thanks to the National Council of Teachers
of Mathematics of USA for its permission to reprint
its books and make these available at affordable prices
to students, and libraries in India.
This is a fine and generous gesture by the American
mathematical community towards the Indian mathematical
community and shows the common concern of professional
mathematicians all over the world for excellent mathe-
matics education for all.

Published in India by Prof. J.N. Kapur, President,

Mathematical Association of India with the permission
of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
of USA and printed by Sri Prints and Sales, Dharampura,
Delhi 110006.
 Contents
\

INTRODUCTION 1

1. HOW TO FOLD THE BASIC CONSTRUCTIONS 4

Folding a straight line • A straight line through a given point •
A line perpendicular to a given straight line • The perpendicular
to a line at a point on the line • A line perpendicular to a given
line and passing through a given point P not on the line • The
perpendicular bisector of a given line segment • A line parallel to
a given straight line • A line through a given point and parallel to
a given straight line • The bisector of a given angle • The location
of equally spaced points along a line • The formation of a right
angle

2. GEOMETRIC CONCEPTS RELATED TO REFLECTIONS ILLUSTRATED

BY PAPER FOLDING 7
Vertical angles • The midpoint of the hypotenuse of a right angle
• The base angles of an isosceles triangle • The intersection of the
angle bisectors of a triangle • The intersection of the perpendicu-
lar bisectors of the sides of a triangle • The intersection of the
medians of a triangle • The area of a parallelogram • The square
on the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares on the two
other legs of a right triangle • The diagonals of a parallelogram •
The median of a trapezoid • The diagonals of a rhombus • A line
midway between the base and vertex of a triangle • The sum of
the angles of a triangle • The area of a triangle • The intersection
of the altitudes bf a triangle

3. CIRCLE RELATIONSHIPS SHOWN BY PAPER FOLDING 15

The diameter of a circle • The center of a circle • The center of a
circle of which only a portion (that includes the center) is available
• Equal chords and equal arcs in the same circle • A diameter
perpendicular to a chord • A radius that bisects the angle between
two radii • Arcs of a circle intercepted by parallel lines • The
angle inscribed in a semicircle • A tangent to a circle at a given
point on the circle

iii
4. ALGEBRA BY PAPER FOLDING 18
(ax -f- by) • (cx -f dy) • Multiplication and division of a and b •
Solving x2 — px + q = 0, p and q integers

5. STAR AND POLYGON CONSTRUCTION 23

Triangle • Regular hexagon, equilateral triangle, and three-
pointed star • Equilateral triangle • Isosceles triangle • Hexagon
• Regular octagon, square, and four-pointed star • Rectangle •
Square • Other relationships in the square derived by reflections
• Octagon • Regular decagon, regular pentagon, and five-pointed
star • Six-pointed star, regular hexagon, and regular dodecagon

6. POLYGONS CONSTRUCTED BY TYING PAPER KNOTS 29

Square • Pentagon • Hexagon • Heptagon • Octagon

7. SYMMETRY 31
Line symmetry • Line and point symmetry • Symmetrical design

8. CONIC SECTIONS 33
Parabola • Ellipse • Hyperbola • Similarity and enlargement
transformations

9. RECREATIONS 37
Mobius strip • Hexaflexagon • Approximating a 60° angle •
Trisecting an angle • Dragon curves • Proof of the fallacy that
every triangle is isosceles • Cube • A model of a sphere • Pop-up
dodecahedron • Patterns for polyhedrons

APPENDIX A: Plane Geometry Theorems and Related Exercises .... 45

APPENDIX B: Some Additional Theorems T h a t Can Be Demon-
strated by Paper Folding 47
APPENDIX C: Large-Scale Figures 48

iv
 Introduction

If mathematics educators and teachers had to choose the single most

important principle for the learning of mathematics, they would probably
allude to the importance of "active mathematical experiences." One
intriguing way of adding an element of active experience to a mathematics
class is to fold paper. Forming straight lines by folding creases in a piece
of paper is an interesting way of discovering and demonstrating relation-
ships among lines and angles. Once a relationship has been shown by
folding paper, formal work on it later does not seem so foreign. Paper
folding not only simplifies the learning of mathematics—it also builds an
experiential base necessary for further learning.
The concepts and ideas of motion, or transformation, geometry are
becoming standard fare for the mathematics curriculum. Paper folding
offers many opportunities for illustrating these ideas. Folding a paper in
half and making the halves coincident is an excellent physical model for a
line reflection.
The exercises in this publication are appropriate at many different
grade levels. Some exercises can profitably be done by students at a rela-
tively advanced level—the entire section on conics, for example, is adapted
for senior high school students. Other exercises, the simpler ones, have
been enjoyed by elementary school pupils. Most of the introductory
exercises would probably be appropriate for junior high school students.
Many of the exercises are recreational and are of an enrichment nature.
A few exercises are of a pattern type, such as the "dragon curves."
The only materials needed for paper-folding exercises are paper, felt pen,
straightedge, and scissors. Although any type of paper may be used,
waxed paper has a number of advantages: a crease becomes a distinct
white line, and the transparency helps students "see" that in folding, lines
and points are made coincident by placing one on the other.
Although paper folding is easy, it is not always easy to give clear
instructions to students either orally or in writing. It is helpful to supple-
ment demonstrations with directions and diagrams. In the text t h a t
follows, the diagrams are numbered with reference to the related exercise.
They are not numbered consecutively. As the descriptions are read, the
described folding should be performed. After these folding have been
practiced, it is likely t h a t the method can be extended to many more
complex constructions.

1
 In mathematics we always make certain basic assumptions on which we
build a mathematical structure. In paper folding we assume the following
postulates:
• Paper can be folded so that the crease formed is a straight line.
• Paper can be folded so that the crease passes through one or two given
points.
• Paper can be folded so that a point can be made coincident with
another point on the same sheet.
• Paper can be folded so that a point on the paper can be made
coincident with a given line on the same sheet and the resulting
crease made to pass through a second given point provided that the
second point is not in the interior of a parabola that has the first point
as focus and the given line as directrix. (A parabola forms the
boundary between a convex region [interior] and a nonconvex region
[exterior] of the plane.)
• Paper can be folded so that straight lines on the same sheet can be
made coincident.
• Lines and angles are said to be congruent when they can be made to
coincide by folding the paper.
If these assumptions are accepted, then it is possible to perform all the
constructions of plane Euclidcan geometry by folding and creasing.
Patterns for folding a great variety of polyhedra can be found in the
following publications:

Cundy, H. M., and A. P. Rollett. Mathematical Models. 2d ed. London:

Oxford University Press, 1961.
Hartley, Miles C. Patterns of Polyhedrons. Chicago: The Author,
1945. I No longer in print.)
Stewart, B. M. Adventures among the Toroids. Okemus, Mich.: The
Author, 1970.

References on paper folding:

Barnett, I. A., "Geometrical Constructions Arising from Simple Alge-1
braic Identities." School Science and Mathematics 38 (1938): 521-27.
Betts, Barbara B. "Cutting Stars and Regular Polygons for Decora-
tions." School Science and Mathematics 50 (1950): 645-49.
Davis, Chandler, and Donald Knuth. "Number Representations and
Dragon Curves—I." Journal of Recreational Mathematics 3 (April
1970): 66-81.
Joseph, Margaret. "Hexahexaflexagrams." Mathematics Teacher 44
I April 1951): 247-48.
 Leeming, Joseph. Fun with Paper. Philadelphia: J. P. Lippincott Co.,
1939.
Pedersen, Jean J. "Some Whimsical Geometry." Mathematics Teacher
65 (October 1972): 513-21
Row, T. Sundara. Geometric Exercises in Paper Folding. Rev. ed.
Edited by W. W. Beman and D. E. Smith. Gloucester, Mass.: Peter
Smith, 1958.
Rupp, C. A. "On a Transformation by Paper Folding." American
Mathematical Monthly 31 (November 1924): 432-35.
Saupe, Ethel. "Simple Paper Models of the Conic Sections." Mathe-
matics Teacher 48 (January 1955): 42-44.
Uth, Carl. "Teaching Aid for Developing (a + b) (a — b)." Mathe-
matics Teacher 48 (April 1955): 247-49.
Yates, Robert C. Geometrical Tools. St. Louis: Educational Publishers,
1949. (No longer in print.)

Since this publication is a revised edition of Donovan Johnson's classic

Paper Folding for the Mathematics Class, a great deal of credit must go to
him for providing so much of the inspiration and information t h a t went
into the making of this publication.

3
 H o w to Fold the Basic Constructions

A variety of geometric figures and relationships can be demonstrated

by using the following directions. If you have a supply of waxed paper and
a couple of felt marking pens, you are all set for a new way of learning
some mathematics.

1. Folding a straight line

Fold over any point P of one portion
of a sheet of paper and hold it coincident
with any point Q of the other portion.
While these points are held tightly to-
gether by the thumb and forefinger of one
hand, crease the fold with the thumb and
forefinger of the other hand. Then ex-
tend the crease in both directions to form
a straight line. From any point on the
crease the distances to P and to Q are
equal. Why must the crease form a
Fig. 1
straight line? (Fig. 1.)
Mathematically, the point P is called
the image of point Q in a reflection in the
line formed by the crease. Conversely, Q
is the image of P in the same reflection.

2. A straight line through a given point

Carefully form a short crease that
passes through the given point. Extend
the crease as described previously. (Fig.
2.)
Fig. 2

3. A line perpendicular to a given

straight line
Fold the sheet over so that a segment
of the given line AB is folded over onto
itself. Holding the lines together with the
thumb and forefinger of one hand, form
Fig. 3 the crease as in exercise 1. (Fig. 3.)

4
 The line AB is reflected onto itself by a reflection in the line formed by
the crease. Why is the straight angle formed by the given line AB bisected
by the crease C D ?

4. The perpendicular to a line at a point

on the line
Fold the paper so that a segment of the
given line AB is folded over onto itself
and so t h a t the crease passes through the
given point P. (Fig. 4.)
Again the line AB is reflected onto
itself in a reflection in the line formed by
the crease. The point P is its own image Fig. 4
in this reflection. Why is the fold through
P perpendicular to AB?

5. A line perpendicular to a given line

and patting through a given point P
not on the line
Use the same method of folding as
outlined in exercise 4. (Fig. 5.)
Fig. 5
6. The perpendicular bitector of a given
line tegment
Fold the paper so t h a t the endpoints of
the given line AB are coincident. Why is
the crease CD the perpendicular bisector
of AB? Locate any point on the perpen-
dicular bisector. Is this point equally
distant from A and B? (Fig. 6.)
What is the image of the line from a
point on the perpendicular bisector to A Fig. 6
when it is reflected in the perpendicular
bisector?

7. A line parallel to a given ttraight

line

First fold the perpendicular EF to the

given line AB as in exercise 3. Next fold
a perpendicular to EF. Why is this last
crease CD parallel to the given line AB?
Fig. 7
(Fig. 7.)

5
/

8. A line through a given point and

parallel to a given straight line
First fold a line EF through the given
point P perpendicular to the given line
AB as in exercise 5. In a similar way,
fold a line CD through the given point P
and perpendicular to the crease EF
Fig. 8 formed by the first fold. Why does this
crease provide the required line? (Fig. 8.)

9. The bisector of a given angle

Fold and crease the paper so that the
legs CA and CB of the given angle ACB
coincide. Why must the crease pass
through the vertex of the angle? How
can you show t h a t the angle is bisected?
(Fig. 9.) An angle is reflected onto itself
Fig. 9 in a reflection in its bisector.

10. The location of equally spaced

points along a line
Establish any convenient length as the.
unit length by folding a segment of the
line onto itself. Form several equal and
parallel folds by folding back and forth
and creasing to form folds similar to
Fig. 10 those of an accordion. (Fig. 10.)

11. The formation of a right angle

Any of the previous constructions involving perpendiculars can be used
to produce right angles. See exercises 3, 4, 5, and 6.

6
 Geometric Concepts Related to Reflections
Illustrated by Paper Folding

12. Vertical angles

AB and CD are two lines that intersect at 0. Fold and crease the paper
through vertex 0, placing BO on CO. Do AO and DO coincide? Are
vertical angles congruent? (Fig. 12A.)

Fig. 12A

With different-colored felt pens draw

the lines AB and CD intersecting at 0.
For convenience, make each of a pair of
vertical angles less than 45°. Fold two
creases EF and GH in the paper so t h a t
they are perpendicular at 0. Neither of
these creases should be in the interiors of
the vertical angles. (Fig. 12B.)
Fold the paper along line EF. Follow
this by folding along line GH. Now the
vertical angles should coincide. Line AB
should coincide with itself, and line CD
should coincide with itself. What differ-
Fig. 12B
ences do you see between the results of
figures 12A and 12B?
Mathematically, one of the vertical angles in figure 12B has been
rotated 180° with 0 as the center. Also, in the pair of vertical angles, one
of the angles is the image of the other after a reflection in 0.

13. The midpoint of the hypotenuse of a right triangle

a) Draw any right triangle ABC (fig. 13).
b) Find the midpoint D of hypotenuse AB by folding. Fold the line
from the midpoint D t o C .

7
 c) Compare CD and BD by folding the angle bisector of BDC. -What
is the image of CD in a reflection in this angle bisector?

14. The base angles of an isosceles triangle

The isosceles triangle ABC is given with AB congruent to BC. Fold line
BD perpendicular to AC. Compare LA and LC by folding along BD.
(Fig. 14.)
The image of LA is LC in a reflection in BD. W h a t is the image of
LCI Are angles A and C congruent?

15. The intersection of the angle bisectors of a triangle

Fold the bisectors of each angle of the given triangle. Do the bisectors
intersect in a common point? What is the point of intersection of the angle
bisectors called? Fold the perpendiculars from this point of intersection
to each of the sides of the triangle. Compare ID, IE, and IF by folding.
(Fig. 15.)
B

ID is the image oi IF in a reflection in IC. What is the image of IE in a

reflection in IB? What conclusions can be made about II), IE, and IF?

8
16. The intersection of the perpendicular bisectors of the sides of a
triangle
Fold the perpendicular bisectors of each side of the given acute triangle.
What is the common point of intersection of these lines called? Fold lines
from this point to each vertex of the triangle. Compare these lengths by
folding. (Fig. 16.)

Fig. 16

AN is the image of CN in a reflection in ND. W h a t is the image of NB

in a reflection in NE? What conclusions can be made about AN, BN, and
NCI

17. The intersection of the medians of a triangle

Bisect the three sides of the given triangle. Fold lines from the midpoint
of each side to the opposite vertex. What is the point of intersection of
these lines called? T r y balancing the triangle by placing it on a pin at the
intersection of the medians. What is this point called?
Fold a line perpendicular to- BE through G. E' is the point on the
median t h a t coincides with E when the triangle is folded along this perpen-
dicular line. E' is the image of E in a reflection in the line perpendicular to
BE through G. If another line perpendicular to BE is folded through E',
then what is the image of B in a reflection in this line? (Fig. 17.)

Fig. 17

Repeat this same procedure for the other two medians. W h a t can be
concluded about the position of G on each of the three medians?

9
18. The area of a parallelogram
Cut out a trapezoid with one side CB perpendicular to the parallel sides.
Fold the altitude DE. Fold CF parallel to AD. For convenience the
trapezoid should be cut so that the length of EF is greater than the length
of FB. Fold FG perpendicular to AB. After folding triangle FBC over
line FG, make another fold at HJ so that B coincides with E and C coin-
cides with D. Does F coincide with A? Are triangles ADE and FCB con-
gruent? (See fig. 18. Figure 18 and others so noted are included in
Appendix C, where they appear large enough for ditto masters to be
made from them.)

Fig. 18

Mathematically, the result of reflecting triangle FCB in FG and then

in HJ is a slide, or translation, in the direction of B to E. Why is this
terminology appropriate?
When triangle FCB is folded back, ADCF is a parallelogram. When
triangle ADE is folded back, DCBE is a rectangle. Is rectangle BCDE
equal in area to parallelogram ADCF1 What is the formula for the area
of a parallelogram?

19. The square on the hypotenuse is

equal to the sum of the squares on
the two other legs of a right tri-
angle

Use a given square ABCD. Make a

crease EF perpendicular to sides AD and
BC. Fold diagonals AC and BD. (See
fig. 19A. Also, see Appendix C f o r a n en-
larged model of figure 19A.) Fold along
diagonal AC. Crease the resulting double
thickness along GF and GE (fig. 19B).
Fig. 19A
When the square is opened flat, the line
HI will have been formed (fig. 19C). HI
is the image of FE in a reflection in AC.

10
 olding along tlie diagonal BD will form
the lines JK and LM.
Fold lines EK, KM, MH, and HE.
Let the measure of EK — c, EC — a, and
CK = b. Then equate the area of
EKMH to the sum of the areas of NOPG
and the four triangles ENK, OKM,
MPH, and HGE. If this equation is
written in terms of a, b, and c, then what
is the result? Fig. 19B

Fig. 19C

20. The diagonals of a parallelogram

Fold the diagonals of a given parallelogram. Compare the lengths of BE
and AE by folding the bisector of angle BE A. Are the diagonals equal in
length? Fold a line perpendicular to BD through E. Compare the lengths
of EB and ED by folding along this perpendicular line. What is the image
of D in a reflection in this perpendicular line? Repeat the same procedure
for the other diagonal AC. Do the diagonals of a parallelogram bisect each
other? (See fig. 20. Also, see Appendix C for an enlarged model of figure
20.)

Fig. 20

21. The median of a trapezoid

Fold the altitudes at both ends of the shorter base of the trapezoid
ABCD. Bisect each nonparallel side and connect these midpoints with a
crease EF. Compare DG and CH with GI and HJ respectively by folding
along EF. What are the images of DG and CH in a reflection in EF1

11
What is the image of CD in this same reflection? Fold lines perpendicular
to AB through E and F. W h a t are the images of A and B in reflections
in these respective perpendicular lines? How does the sum of CD and AB
compare with the median EF? (See fig. 21. Also, see Appendix C for an
enlarged model of figure 21.)

Fig. 21

22. The diagonals of a rhombus

Fold the diagonals of a given rhombus ABCD. Compare AO and BO
to OC and OD respectively by folding along the diagonals. What is the
image of AO in a reflection in BD? What is the image of angle ABD in a
reflection in BD? What conclusions can you make about the diagonals of
a rhombus? Is triangle ABD congruent to triangle CBD7 (See fig. 22.
Also, see Appendix C for an enlarged model of figure 22.)

Fig. 22

23. A line midway between the base bnd vertex of a triangle

Bisect two sides of the triangle ABC (fig. 23). Fold a line EF through
the midpoints. Fold the altitude to the side that is not bisected. Compare
BG and GD by folding along line EF. What is the image of BG in a reflec-
tion in EF1 Bisect GD. Fold a line perpendicular to BD through H.

12
 Fig. 23

What is the image of EF in a reflection in this perpendicular line? Is EF

parallel to AC? Fold lines perpendicular to AC through E and through F.
What are the images of A and of C when reflected in EI and FJ respec-
tively? How does the length of EF compare with the length of AC?

24. The sum of the angles of a triangle

a) Fold the altitude BD of the given
triangle ABC (fig. 24A).

Fie. 24A

b) Fold the vertex B onto the base of

the altitude, D (fig. 24B). How is
line EF related to line AC? How
are AE and EB related?
Fig. 24B

c) Fold the base angle vertices A and

C to the base of the altitude, D (fig.
24C). Does the sum of LA, LB,
and LC make up a straight angle? Fig. 24C

13
 25. The area of a triangle
In figure 24C, the rectangular shape has
sides whose measures are equal to one-
half the base AC of triangle ABC and
one-half the altitude BD (fig. 25). What
is the area of the rectangle? How are the
Fig. 25 areas of this rectangle and the original
triangle related? What is the area of the
triangle?

26. The intersection of the altitudes of

a triangle
Fold the altitudes to each side of the
given triangle (fig. 26). Do they intersect
in a common point? What is the inter-
section point of the altitudes called? Are
there any relationships among the dis-
tances from the point of intersection of
the altitudes to the vertices and bases of
the triangle? Repeat this exercise for an
Fig. 26
obtuse triangle.

14
 Circle Relationships Shown by Paper Folding

27. The diameter of a circle

Fold the circle onto itself (fig. 27).
Does the fold line AB bisect the circle?
What name is given to line AB? What is
the image of the circle when it is reflected
in line AB1 The circle is said to have line
Fig. 27
symmetry with respect to line AB.

28. The center of a circle

Fold two mutually perpendicular diameters (fig. 28). Are the diameters
bisected? At what point do the diameters intersect? What is the image of
AO in a reflection in CD? •

Fig. 28

29. The center of a circle of which only a portion (which includes the
center) is available
Fold a chord AB and a chord BC (fig. 29). Fold the perpendicular bi-
sector of AB. From any point on this perpendicular bisector, the distance
to A is the same as the distance to B. How could this be shown? Fold the
perpendicular bisector of BC. It intersects the other perpendicular bisector
at M. W h a t is true of AM, MB, and MC? Why is M the center of the
circle?

Fig. 29

15
 30. Equal chords and equal arcs in the
same circle
Locate the center 0 of the circle by
folding two diameters. Fold the circle
along a diameter AD. From some point
C, fold the semicircle along CO (fig.
30A). This forms two radii, CO and BO
Fig. 30A (fig. 30B). How does arc AC compare
with arc AB? What is the image of arc
AC in a reflection in AD? Fold chords
AB and AC. How does chord AC com-
pare with chord AB? How does central
angle COA compare with central angle
AOB? Fold lines through 0 perpendicu-
lar to AC and to AB. By folding, com-
pare AE with EC and AF with FB. What
is the image of EC in a reflection in EO?
Answer the same question for a reflection
Fig. 30B in AD. Compare EO with FO by folding
along AD. What generalizations can be
made about equal chords and equal arcs
of the same circle?

31. A diameter perpendicular to a

chord
Fold any chord AB (fig. 31). Fold a
diameter CD perpendicular to this chord.
Compare the segments AE and EB of
the given chord. Compare the subtended
Fig. 31 arcs AC and CB.

32. A radius that bisects the angle be-

tween two radii
Fold any two radii, AO and BO (fig.
32). Fold the chord AB. Fcld the bi-
sector OC of the angle between the radii
AO and BO. How is the bisector of angle
AOB related to the chord AB? What is
the image of arc AC in a reflection in
Fig. 32 angle bisector CO?

16
33. Arcs of a circle intercepted by
parallel lines
Fold any diameter AB of circle 0 (fig.
33). Fold two chords, each perpendicular
to AB. What are the images of E and F
in a reflection in AB? Compare arc EF
Fig. 33
to arc CD by folding.

34. The angle inscribed in a semicircle

Fold diameter AB (fig. 34). Fold a
chord AC. Extend AC. Likewise, fold
CB and extend it. What is the image of
CB is a reflection in AC? What is the size
of the angle formed by the chords AC
and BC? Fig. 34

35. A tangent to a circle at a given

point on the circle
Fold the diameter of the given circle
passing through the given point P on the
circle (fig. 35). At P, fold the line per-
pendicular to the diameter. Why is this
perpendicular line tangent to the circle?
If this perpendicular line passed through
another point Q on the circle, then what
would be true of the image of Q in a Fig. 35
reflection in the diameter?

17
 Algebra by Paper Folding

36. (ax -f by) • (ex + dy)

a) Let any rectangular sheet of paper represent a rectangle with dimen-
sions x and x -f y (fig. 36A).

Fig. 36A

b) To determine y, fold the upper left-hand vertex down to the bottom

edge (fig. 36B). Fold along VU. The measures ,of RT and UZ are x
and y respectively. Fold Z to point W on UV. Fold along WL.
(Fig. 36C.)

Fig. 36B Fig. 36C

c) Unfold and return to the original rectangle. RTVU is a square x

units on each side. UVSZ is a rectangle with dimensions x and y.
UWLZ is a square y units on each side. (Fig. 36D.)

Fig. 36D

18
d) Cut out several model rectangles with sides x and y and several
squares with sides of x and of y. These will be needed in the follow-
ing exercises. For convenience, color one face of the model rectangles
red, blue, or some other bright color, and leave the opposite face
white.
e) Label the rectangle and squares as in figure 36E. The square formed
by M, N, N, and Q is x y on a side. Its area is (x -f y) • (x y).
Since the areas of M, N, and Q are x 2 , x • y, and y2, respectively,
we have (x -f- y) (x -(- y) — x2 + xy -f- xy y2 = x2 -f 2 x y -f- y2.

* y
Fig. 36E

/) Mathematically, the area of the rectangle in figure 36F is (2x + 3y)

• (2x -)- y). Summing the areas of the Ms, Ns, and Qs, respectively,
we obtain (2x + 3y) (2x + y) — 4x2 + 8 x y + 3y 2 .

Fig. 36F

g) Assume t h a t the product (3x — 2 y ) (2x — y) is to be found. Arrange

the various rectangles and squares so t h a t they make up a rectangle
that is 3x + 2y on one side and 2x -f- y on an adjacent side. To
begin with, all the rectangles should be white side up. To represent
3x — 2y, turn rectangles 4, 5, 9, and 10 and squares 14 and 15 over,

19
 exposing the colored side. To represent 2x — y, turn rectangles 11,
12, and 13 and squares 14 and 15 over in the same manner. Now
squares 14 and 15 have been turned over twice, again exposing the
white sides. (Fig. 36G.)

Fig. 36G

The squares 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 14, and 15 represent positive products.

The rectangles 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 each represent the product
—x • y. Thus, {3x — 2 y ) (2x — y) — 6z 2 — 7xy -f 2y 2 .
h) Assume t h a t the product (x -f- y ) (x —• y) is to be found. In a man-
ner similar to t h a t of the preceding exercise, arrange the squares and
rectangles in such a way that they make up a square that is x -f y
on a side. All the rectangles and squares should be white side up.
To represent x — y, turn rectangle 2 and square 4 over. Since rec-
tangles 2 and 3 represent products of different sign, (x -)- y) {x — y)
— x2 - xy + xy — y2 — x* — y2. (Fig. 36H.)

Fig. 36H

20
37. Multiplication and division of a and b
Fold two perpendicular lines, X'X and Y'Y, intersecting at 0. Fold a
series of equally spaced points on the two lines. Be sure to include 0 in
the points. These folded points will form a coordinate system for the
plane of the paper.
Let OU be + 1 . Define OA and OB as directed line segments represent-
ing a and b respectively (fig. 37A). Join V to A by folding a line through
these two points. Through B fold a line parallel to AU and let P be the
point of intersection of this line and X'X. Now OP represents the product
of a and b in magnitude and sign. In figure 37A, a was positive and b was
negative.

Fig. 37A

Fold a line passing through A and B. Fold a line passing through U

parallel to AB. Let Q be the point of intersection of this line and X'X.
Then OQ represents the quotient a/b in magnitude and sign (fig. 37B).

Fig 37H

21
38. Solving x 2 — px -f q = 0, p and q integers
Fold two intersecting lines, X'X and Y'Y, intersecting at 0. Coordina-
tize each of the lines by folding equally spaced points. Let OP and OQ
represent p and q respectively. Fold perpendiculars to X'X and Y'Y at
P and Q, intersecting at M. Fold a line determined by M and U. OU is
the line representing -j-1. Now find the midpoint of UM by folding. Let
T be this midpoint. Now V is reflected in some line t h a t passes through T
so that the image of U is on X'X. There will be two such points if x2 —
px + 9 = 0 has two real, unequal roots. If these two points are R and S,
then OR and OS represent the roots in both magnitude and sign. (Fig. 38.)

Fig. 38

To find R and S, fold the paper, without creasing, along lines that pass
through T. By adjusting the fold, it is pos»iblp to make U coincide with
X'X at R and S. The procedure is illustrated below „ s j n t , t h e equation
x2 _ 5x + 6 = 0. Notice that OR = 2 and OS — 3 in measure.
A circlc can be drawn through Q, U, R, and S. How can you show this?
Why must OR and OS be representations of the roots of the equation?
 Star and Polygon Construction

39. Triangle
Fold any three nonparallel creases that will intersect on the sheet
(fig. 39).

Fig. 39

40. Regular hexagon, equilateral triangle, and three-pointed star

Fold and crease a piece of paper. This crease is shown as AB in figure
40A. From some point 0 on AB, fold OB to position OB' so t h a t angle
AOB' as angle B'OE. The congruent angles are most easily obtained by
means of a protractor. They can also be approximated by judicious fold-
ing. Crease OB so that OA falls on OE (fig. 40B.). In figure 40B, XZ is
perpendicular to OE, and the measures of OX and OW are equal. Cutting
along XW results in a regular hexagon. An equilateral triangle results
when a cut is made along XZ. Cutting along XF results in a three-pointed
star.

Fig. 40A Fig. 40B

41. Equilateral triangle

a) Fold the median EF of rectangle ABCD (fig. 41).
b) Fold vertex A onto EF so t h a t the resulting crease, GB, passes
through B. Denote by J the position of A on EF. Return to original
position by unfolding. Fold line GJ, extending it to H.

23
 Fig. 41

c) By folding, show that BJ is perpendicular to GH.

d) What is the image of angle GBJ in a reflection in BJ? What is the
image of angle ABG in a reflection in BG?
e) Fold the angle bisector of angle BGH and of angle GHB. What con-
clusions can be made after reflections in these angle bisectors?
/) Why is triangle BGH an equilateral triangle?

42. Isosceles triangle

Fold the perpendicular bisector of side AB of rectangle ABCD. From
any point P on the perpendicular bisector, fold lines to vertices A and B.
What conclusions can be made after a reflection in this perpendicular?
(Fig. 42.)
Why is triangle ABP an isosceles triangle?

Fig. 42

43. Hexagon
Fold the three vertices of an equilateral triangle to its center (fig. 43).
How is this center found?

Fig. 43

24
 Is the hexagon DEFGHI equilateral? How does the area of triangle
ABC compare with that of hexagon DEFGHI?

44. Regular octagon, square, and four-pointed star

Fold a piece of paper in half and crease. Call the resulting line AB.
Fold the perpendicular bisector of AB. Call this OE. (Fig. 44.) Fold
OA and OB over so that they coincide with OE and crease OF. M a r k point
W so that triangle OXW is isosceles, and mark point Z so that XZ is per-
pendicular to OF. Cutting along XW will result in a regular octagon. A
square results from a cut along XZ. Cutting along XY gives a four-
pointed star.

Fig. 44

45. Rectangle
Fold any straight line AB. At points D and F on AB, fold lines per-
pendicular to AB. At point G on line CD, fold a line perpendicular to CD.
This perpendicular line intersects EF at H. (Fig. 45.) Show by folding
that GH is perpendicular to EF. W h a t is the image of EF in a reflection
in GH?

Fig. 45

Bisect side EF by folding. Fold a line perpendicular to HF through

midpoint 7. By reflecting rectangle DFHG in the line JI, what relation-
ships among lines and angles appear to be true? Fold a line perpendicular
to GH through midpoint K. Reflect the rectangle DFHG in KL and note
what relationships appear to be true.

25
49, Regular decagon, regular pentagon, a n d five-pointed star
Fold a piece of paper in half and crease. Call this line AB. If 0 is the
midpoint of AB, fold and crease along line OE so t h a t angle AOB equals
one-half of angle BOE in measure (fig. 49A). This angle relationship can
be assured by using a protractor or can be approximated by careful fold-
ing. Fold OE over so t h a t it coincides with OB. Crease line OF (fig. 49B).
Crease along OE so t h a t OA falls along OF (fig. 49C). Triangle OXW is
an isosceles triangle. Triangle OXZ is a right triangle. Cutting along A l f
results in a regular decagon. Cutting along XZ results in a regular penta-
gon. A five-pointed star is produced when a cut is made along A'F.

Fig 49A Fig. 49B Fig. 49C

50. Six-pointed star, regular hexagon, and regular dodecagon

Fold a piece of paper in half. Call this line AB. Fold A over on B and
crease along OE. Fold A and B over and crease along OF so that angle
EOA equals angle AOF in measure (fig. 50A). This angle congruence can
be assured by using a protractor or can be approximated by carelul fold-
ing. Crease on OA, folding OF over to fall along OE (fig. 50B). Triangle
OXW is isosceles. Triangle OXZ is a right triangle. Cutting along A'IV.
XZ, and A'F respectively will result in a regular dodecagon, regular hexa-
gon, and a six-pointed star. Interesting snowflake patterns can be made by
cutting notches in the six-pointed star design.

Fig. 50A Fig. 50li

28
 Polygons Constructed by Tying Paper Knots

51. Square
Use two strips of paper of the same width.
a) Fold each strip over onto itself to form a loop and crease. Why are
the angles that are formed right angles? (Fig. 51A.)

Fig. 51A

b) Insert an end of one strip into the loop of the other so t h a t the strips
interlock. Pull the strips together tightly and cut off the surplus. Why
is the resulting polygon a square? (Fig. 51B.)

Fig. 51B
52. Pentagon
Use a long strip of constant width. Tie an overhand knot (fig. 52A).
Tighten the knot and crease flat (fig. 52B). Cut the surplus lengths.
Unfold and consider the set of trapezoids formed by the creases. How
many trapezoids are formed? Compare the trapezoids by folding. What
conclusions can be made about the pentagon obtained?

Fig. 52A Fig. 52B

99
53. ' Hexagon
Use two long strips of paper of equal width. Tie a square knot as shown
in figure 53A. Tighien and crease it fiat to produce a hexagon. It may be
easier to untie the knot and fold each piece separately according to figure
53B. After tightening and flattening, cut off the surplus lengths. Unfold
and consider the trapezoids formed. How many trapezoids are formed on
each strip? Compare the sizes of these trapezoids.

Fig. 53A Fig. 53B

54. Heptagon
Use a long strip of constant width. Tie a knot as illustrated in figure
54A. Tighten and crease flat (fig. 54B). How many trapezoids are formed
when the knot is untied?

Fig. 54A Fig. 54B

55. Octagon
I'se two long strips of the same width.
First, tie a loose overhand knot with one
strip like that for the pentagon above.
Figure 55 shows this tie with the shaded
strip going from 1-2-3-4-5. With the
second strip, start at 6, pass over 1-2 and
under 3-4. Bend up at 7. Pass under 4-5
and 1-2. Bend up at 8. Pass under 3-4
and 6-7. Bend up at 9. Pass over 3-4,
Fig. 55
under 7-8 and 4-5, emerging at 10.
Tighten and crcase flat. Cut surplus
lengths 1,5, 6, and 10 (fig. 551.

30
 This construction is not easy. Another tack might be to analyze the
knots and their trapezoids to determine the lengths and the sizes of angles
involved. Using a protractor, a ruler, and the obtained information would
make the constructions considerably easier.

Symmetry

56. Line symmetry

Fold a line in a sheet of paper. Cut out a kite-shaped figure similar to
figures 56A and 56B. Fold this figure along any other line. What differ-
ences do you note between the foldings in the two lines? The first fold is
a symmetry line for the figure. What is the image of the figure in a reflec-
tion in the first fold line?

Fig. 56A Fig. 56B

57. Line and point symmetry

Fold two perpendicular creases. Keeping the paper folded, cut out a
plane curve with a scissors (fig. 57A).

Fig. 57A

31
 What are the images of the figure when they are reflected in Ah and in
CD? Line EF is drawn so that it passes through 0 and is different from
AB and CD. (Fig. 57B.)
C

D
Fig. 57B

Is EF a line of symmetry for the figure? How can you show this? How
is 0 related to EF? Answer these questions for various positions of EF.
Point 0 is a point of symmetry for the figure. Can you see why?

58. Symmetrical design

Fold two perpendicular creases, dividing the paper into quadrants. Fold
once more, bisecting the folded right angles. Keep the paper folded. Trim
the edge opposite the 45° angle so that all folded parts are equal. While
the paper remains folded, cut odd-shaped notches and holes. Be sure to
leave parts of the edges intact. (Fig. 58A.) When the paper is unfolded,
a symmetrical design is apparent (fig. 58B).

Fig. 58A Fig. 58B

 Conic Sections

59. Parabola
Draw any straight line m as a directrix. Mark a point F not on the
given line as the focus. Fold a line perpendicular to line m. Mark the
point of intersection of line m and the line perpendicular to m. Call it
point G. Fold the paper over so that point F coincides with point G and
crease. Call the point of intersection of this crease and the perpendicular
line H. (Fig. 59.) Repeat this operation twenty to thirty times by using
different lines perpendicular to m. The point H will be on a parabola with
focus F and directrix m. The creases formed by folding point F onto point
G are tangents to the parabola. The tangents are said to "envelop" the
parabolic curve.

Fig. 59

What is the image of FH when reflected in the crease formed by the

coincidence of F and C? What geometric facts concerning tangents to
parabola can be obtained from this?
Imagine t h a t the ins'de of the parabolic curve is a mirrored surface.
Rays of light, which aa- parallel to the lines perpendicular to m, strike the
mirror. Where are these rays of light reflected after striking the mirror?

60. Ellipse
Draw a circle with center 0. Locate a point F inside the circle. Mark a
point X on the circle. Fold the point F onto X and crease. Fold the diam-
eter that passes through X. The point of intersection of this diameter and
the crease is called P. Repeat this procedure twenty to thirty times by choos-
ing different locations for X along the circle. Each crease is tangent to an
ellipse with foci F and O. (Fig. 60.) What is the image of PX under a
reflection in ZY? Show how the measure of FP plus the measure of PO is
equal to a constant. Thus, P is on the ellipse, with 0 and F as foci.
Imagine that ZY is a mirror. Why would a ray of light passing through F
and P be reflected through 0? Let R be any point along ZY other than P.
Show that the sum of the measures of FR and RO is greater than the sum
of the measures of FP and PO.
Repeat this experiment by using various locations for F. What effect
does this have on the resulting ellipses?

Fig. 60

61. Hyperbola
Draw a circle with center 0. Locate a point F outside the circle. Mark
a point X on the circle. Fold F onto X and crease. This crease is tangent
to a hyperbola with 0 and F as foci. Fold a diameter through X. The
point of intersection of the diameter and the crease is called P. (Fig. 61.)

Fig. 61

What is the image of FP in a reflection in YZ? Show that the measure of

FP minus the measure of PO equals a constant. Thus, point P is on the
hyperbola with foci F and 0. Repeat this procedure twenty to thirty
times by choosing different locations for X along the circle.
Draw a circle that has OF as a diameter. Include the points of inter-
section of the two circles as choices for the location of X. The resulting
creases are asymptotes for the hyperbola. What is the image of the
hyperbola in a reflection in OF? What is the image of the hyperbola in a
reflection in a line perpendicular to OF at the midpoint of OF?

34
62. Similarity and enlargement transformations
a) Draw a triangle ABC. Mark a point D outside the triangle. Fold
line AD. Fold point D onto A and crease. The point of intersection
of this crease and line AD is called A'. Repeat the same procedure
for points B and C in order to locate points B' and C' (fig. 62A).

Fig. 62A

How is triangle ABC related to triangle A'B'C'? How do the areas of

these two triangles compare?

b) Draw a triangle ABC and point D outside this triangle. Reflect point
D in a line perpendicular to AD at point A. Call this image point A'.
Repeat the same procedure with points B and C in order to locate
points B' and C Do the same with point X. Where is the image
point A"? (Fig 62B). How does triangle A'B'C compare with
triangle ABC?

Fig. 62 H

b5
c) Draw a triangle ABC and points D and E outside this triangle. Use
the procedure from (a) with point D to locate triangle A'B'C'. Re-
peat this procedure with triangle A'B'C' and point E to locate tri-
angle A"B"C" (fig. 62C). How is triangle A"B"C" related to tri-
angle ABC? How do their areas compare? Fold lines A A", BB",
and CC". What conclusions can be made after making these folds?

Fig. 62C
 Recreations

63. Mobius strip

Use a strip of paper at least inches wide and 24 inches long. To
make a Mobius strip, give one end a half-turn (180°) before gluing it to
the other end (fig. 63). If you draw an unbroken pencil mark on the
strip, you will return to the starting point without crossing an edge. Thus,
this strip of paper has only one surface. Stick the point of a scissors into
the center of the paper and cut all the way around. You will be surprised
by the result! Cut the resulting band down the center for a different
result. After two cuts how many separate bands do you have?

Fig. 63

64. Hexaflexagon
The hexaflexagon requires a paper strip that is at least six times its
width in length.
a) First fold the strip to locate the center line CD at one end of the
strip (fig. 64A).
A

Fig. 64A

b) Fold the strip so that B falls on CD and the resulting crease AE

passes through A (fig. 64B). Where would the image of A be in a
reflection in BE? W h a t kind of a triangle is ABE1

Fig. 64B

37
c) Fold the strip back so that the crease EG forms along BE (fig. 64C).
What kind of a triangle is EGA? Next fold forward along GA,
forming another triangle. Continue folding back and forth until ten
equilateral triangles have been formed. Cut off the excess of the
strip as well as the first right triangle ABE.

Fig. 64C

d) Lay the strip in the position shown in figure 64D and number the
triangles accordingly.

Fig. 64D. Front

e) Turn the strip over and number as in figure 64E. Be sure t h a t tri-
angle 11 is behind triangle 1.

Fig. 64E. Back

/) To fold the hexaflexagon, hold the strip in the position shown in

figure 64D. Fold triangle 1 over triangle 2. Then fold triangle 15
onto triangle 14 and triangle 8 onto triangle 7. Insert the end of the
strip, triangle 10, between triangles 1 and 2. If the folding now gives
the arrangements shown in figures 64F and 64G, glue triangle 1 to
10. If not, recheck the directions given.

Fig. 64F Fig. 64G

38
 The hexagon can be folded and opened to.give a number ot designs.
Two of these designs are given in figures 64F and 64G. The designs open
easily by folding in the three single edges, thus forming a three-cornered
star and opening out the center. How many different designs can be
obtained?

65. Approximating a 60° angle

Cnt a strip of paper two inches wide and about twenty inches long. Cut
one end of the strip off and label the line of cutting t0. By folding, bisect
the angle formed by t 0 and the edge of the strip. Label the bisector t x and
the two congruent angles formed x0. The line ti intersects the other edge
of the strip at Ax. By folding, bisect the obtuse angle formed at A x by U
and the edge of the strip. This procedure is continued until the lengths of
t k and tktl appear to be congruent and the angles X k and X M appear to be
congruent. These angles X k approach 60° in measure. (Fig. 65.) It is
surprising that no matter what angle X 0 is used in the beginning, angles
X k always approach 60° in measure.

Fig. 65

66. Trisecting an angle

An interesting variation on exercise 65 takes place on a piece of paper
whose straight edges are not parallel (fig. 66). In this situation, angle X k
approaches 6/3 in measure. Thus, we have a way of approximating the
trisection of angle 8. For convenience, choose A 0 as far away from B as
possible. Also, to assure a convenient convergence, choose t 0 so that X 0
is approximately 0/3 in measure.

Fig. 66

39
67. Dragon curves
Take a long strip of paper and fold it in half from right to left. When it
is opened, it has one crease, which points downward (fig. 67A). Fold the
paper in half two times from right to left. When it is opened, it has three
creases. Reading from left to right, the first two point downward and the
third points upward (fig. 67B). For three folding-in-half operations, the
pattern of creases is (left to right) DDUDDUU, where D and U represent
creases that point downward and upward respectively.

Fig. 67C

After n folding operations, how many rectangles are formed and how
many creases are formed? Can you determine the sequence of Ds and Us
for four folding-in-half operations from the sequences that result from
the first three foldings?
Modify the folding above by alternately folding the ends from left to
right and then from right to left. The formulas for determining the num-
ber of areas and the number of creases formed after n foldings will not
change, but the sequence of Ds and Us used in describing the creases does
change. Can you figure out how to predict the pattern for n -f- 1 folds,
knowing the pattern for n folds?
Another interesting modification is to use a trisecting fold rather than a
bisecting fold. Fold the strip so that the pattern after one trisection fold
is DU (fig. 67C).
How many areas and how many creases are formed after n trisection-
folding operations? Can you determine the sequence of Ds and Us for four
trisection foldings, knowing the sequence for three trisection foldings?

68. Proof of the fallacy that every tri-

angle is isosceles
Fold the bisector of the vertex angle
and the perpendicular bisector of the
base (fig. 68). These creases will inter-
sect .outside the triangle, which contra-
dicts the assumption t h a t these lines
meet inside the triangle. Fig. 68

40
69. Cube
а) Fold a piece of paper down to form a square and remove the excess
strip. The edge of the cube t h a t will eventually be formed will be
one-fourth the side of this square (fig. 69A).
б) Fold the paper from corner to corner and across the center one way
through the midpoint of the sides (fig. 69B). The fold across the
center should be in the opposite direction to that of the corner-to-
corner folds.

Fig. 69A Fig. 69B

c) Let the paper fold naturally into the shape shown in figure 69C.
d) Fold the front A and B down to point C (fig. 69D).

Fig. 69C Fig. 69D

e) Turn it over and do the same for the back corners F and G. A
smaller square will result (fig. 69E).
/) The corners on the sides D and E are now double. Fold the corners
D and E so that they meet in the center. Turn the square over and
do the same for the corners on the back side (fig. 69F).

Fig. 69E Fig. 69F

41
g) One end of figure 69F will now be free of loose corners. Fold the
loose corners on the opposite end, H and K, outward on the front to
form figure 69G. Do the same for the corresponding corners on the
back.
h) Fold points H and K inward to the center. Do the same with the
points on the back of the form (fig. 69H).
O O

Fig. 69H
Fig. 69G

i) Open folds D and E and tuck triangles LHM and KNP into the
pockets in D and E. Do the same with the points on the back (fig.
691).
j) Blow sharply into the small hold found at 0 and the cube will inflate.
Crease the edges and the cube is finished (fig. 69J).

Fig. 69J
Fig. 691

70. A model of «. sphere

Cut three equal circles out of heavy paper. Cut along the lines as shown
in figures 70A, 70B, and 70C. B e n d the sides of figure 70A toward each

Fig. 70C
Fig. 70A P i g . 70B

42
other along the dotted lines AB and CD and pass this piece through the
cut in the center of figure 70B. Open figure 70A after it has been pushed
through figure 70B.
Bend the sides of figure 70A along the dotted lines EF and GH and bend
figure 70B along the dotted line| IJ and KL. Pass figures 70A and 70B
through the cross-shaped cut in figure 70C. This will form the sphere
model shown in figure 70D. This model is suitable for demonstrating
latitude and longitude, time zones, and spherical triangles. It can also be
used as a geometric Christmas tree decoration or in a mobile. If the model
is to be made out of cardboard, figures 70A and 70C should be cut into
two semicircles and fitted into figure 70B.

Fie. 70D

71. Pop-up dodecahedron

Cut two patterns as shown in figure 71A out of cardboard. Fold lightly
along the dotted lines. Place these patterns together as shown in figure
71B and attach with a rubber band. Toss the model into the air and it
will form a dodecahedron. If the first attempt is not successful, change the
rubber band or use a different type of cardboard.

Fig. 71A Fig. 71B

72. Patterns for polyhedra

Cut the following patterns from cardboard. Fold along the dotted lines.
Use the tabs for gluing. (See Appendix C for enlarged models of figures
72A-G.)

43
 Stellated pol/dedra can be made by
attaching pyrari» d s to each f a c e of these
regular polyhedf 9 - E a c h Pyramid should
have a base c o n S r u e n t th e f a c e 0 f the
polyhedron.
A less f r u s t r # t i n g alte rUative to the
"tab and glue" method of c o n s t r u c t i n g
polyhedra i s the cardboa t(1 a n d r u b b e r
band" method. To use thi s m e t h o d i c u t
Fig. 72A. Tetrahedron
out each face of * Polyhedr 0 n s e p a r a t e l y .
On each edge of these pi e c e S | c u t a
narrow tab, n o t c h e d a t e a c h end and
folded back. F a ^ e n the p i e c e s t Q g e t h e r
along matching tabs secur e d b y m b b e r
bands. Stretch the rubber b a n d g a l o n g
the tabs and s e c ^ e them i n t h e n o t c h e s
Tabs one-fourth i n c h l n width s e e m t o b e Fig. 72B. Cube
best for securing (he rubber bands.

I ig- 72Q; Octahedron

Fig. 72D. Dodecahe^ r o n Fig. 72E. Icosahedron

Different polyhC d r a c a n b e m a d e b y experimenting with regular poly-

gons of three, four, fi J e > a n d six sides. Obviously, all these polygons must
have edges t h a t art! o f e c l u a l length (figs. 72F and 72G).

Fig. 72G

44
 Appendix A
Plane Geometry Theorems and Related Exercises

In the following listing, certain theorems from plane geometry are given.
After each theorem, related exercises from this monograph are noted.

1. In a plane, through a given point on a given line, there is one and

only one line perpendicular to the given line. (Exercise 4)
2. In a plane, there is one and only one line perpendicular to a given
line through a given point not on the line. (Exercise 5)
3. A segment has one and only one midpoint. (Exercise 6)
4. An angle has one and only one bisector. (Exercise 9)
5. Vertical angles are congruent. (Exercise 12)
6. The measure of the median to the hypotenuse of a right triangle is
equal in measure to half the hypotenuse. (Exercise 13)
7. If two sides of a triangle are congruent, then the angles opposite these
sides are congruent. (Exercise 14)
8. The three lines that bisect the angles of triangle ABC are concurrent
at a point I that is equidistant from the lines AB, BC, and AC.
(Exercise 15)
9. The three lines that are in the plane of triangle ABC and are the per-
pendicular bisectors of the sides of the triangle are concurrent at a
point t h a t is equidistant from the vertices A, B, and C. (Exercise 16)
10. The three medians of a triangle are concurrent at a point whose dis-
tance from any one of the vertices is two-thirds the length of the
median from that vertex. (Exercise 17)
11. The area of a parallelogram is the product of the measures of a base
and the altitude to that base. (Exercise 18)
12. The* square of the measure of the hypotenuse of a right triangle is
equal to the sum of the squares of the measures of the other two sides.
(Exercise 19)
13. The diagonals of a parallelogram bisect each other. (Exercise 20)
14. The segment t h a t joins the midpoints of the nonparallel sides of a
trapezoid is parallel to the bases, and its measure is one-half the sum
of the measures of the bases. (Exercise 21)
15. The diagonals of a rhombus are perpendicular to each other.'
(Exercise 22)

45
16. A diagonal of a rhombus bisects the angles formed at the related
vertices. (Exercise 22)
17. The segment joining the midpoints of two sides of a triangle is parallel
to the third side and is equal to one-half of its measure. (Exercise 23)
18. The sum of the measures of the angles of a triangle is 180° (Exercise
24)
19. The area of any triangle is equal to one-half the product of the
measures of any one of its bases and the altitude to that base.
(Exercise 25)
20. The three altitude lines of a triangle are concurrent at a point.
(Exercise 26)
21. In a circle, the minor arcs of congruent chords are congruent.
(Exercise 30)
22. A diameter that is perpendicular to a chord bisects that chord.
(Exercise 31)
23. In a circle, congruent central angles intercept congruent minor arcs.
(Exercise 32)
24. If two parallel lines intersect a circle, then the intercepted arcs are
congruent. (Exercise 33)
25. An angle inscribed in a semicircle is a right angle. (Exercise 34)
26. A tangent to a circle is perpendicular to the radius drawn to the point
of contact. (Exercise 35)
27. If two angles of one triangle are congruent respectively to two angles
of another triangle, then the triangles are similar. (Exercise 37)

46
 Appendix B
Some Additional Theorems That Can Be
Demonstrated by Paper Folding

1. The median from the vertex of the angle included by the congruent
sides of an isosceles triangle bisects that angle.
2. T*he median from the vertex of the angle included by the congruent
sides of an isosceles triangle is perpendicular to the third side.
3. The bisector of the angle included by the congruent sides of an isosceles
triangle bisects the side opposite that angle.
4. Any two medians of an equilateral triangle are congruent.
5. If two distinct coplanar lines are intersected by a transversal that
makes a pair of alternate interior angles congruent, the lines are
parallel.
6. If two distinct coplanar lines are intersected by a transversal that
makes a pair of corresponding angles congruent, the lines are parallel.

47
 Appendix C
Large-Scale Figures

00

be
s
 Fig. 19A

49

f
 Fig. 20

Fig. 21
 Fig. 20

Fig. 21
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to
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