Self-Similarity and the Tumbling Square
Susan Happersett

Proceedings of Bridges 2018: Mathematics, Art, Music, Architecture, Education, Culture
Pages 575–578
Workshop Papers

Abstract

This hands-on workshop will present the “Tumbling Square” paper sculpture. I will explain how I developed the form, offer detailed instruction on how to create I, and guide the participants in making their own Tumbling Squares. I will also provide guidance for creating new patterns that will serve two functions: as guidelines for construction, and aesthetic content. After thorough instruction on the single sheet element, I will explore more elaborate sculptures requiring multiple sheets of paper. This project offers opportunities to introduce Mathematical topics including self-similarity, diagonal bisections of squares, and isosceles right triangles.

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