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Puzzle crafting & workshops • Laboratorio di giochi d'ingegno • Atelier de puzzles
by Gianni A. Sarcone & Marie-Jo Waeber
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Magic transformation
Author: Gianni A. Sarcone

Topological puzzle - difficulty level bulbbulbbulbbulb
Can you find an elegant method to transform the two interlaced rings of paper below into a perfect square? You can use a pair of scissors and two pieces of tape. Rules: no paper off-cuts should be left and only two straight cuts are allowed. A great challenge! Hint: the two rings are identical to each other...

• Existe-t-il un moyen élégant de transformer les deux anneaux de papier entrelacés ci-dessous en un carré parfait? Pour ce faire, vous pouvez employer deux bandelettes adhésives et une paire de ciseaux. De plus, il ne doit rester aucun morceau de papier en dehors du carré après avoir découpé les anneaux avec deux coupes droites. Il est important de savoir que les deux anneaux sont identiques...

• Esiste un metodo elegante per ricavare da questi due anelli di carta, identici e intrecciati uno dentro l’altro come fossero gli anelli di una catena, un quadrato perfetto. Per farlo, si utilizzano un paio di forbici e due striscioline di scotch. Inoltre si fanno due tagli e non rimangono pezzetti di carta all’infuori del quadrato.
Vuoi provarci anche tu, prima di guardare la soluzione?

topological puzzle
© Gianni A. Sarcone
Source: BrainTrainer, #11, April 2008, page 50.
You can reproduce this puzzle only for your personal, non-commercial use!

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arrow Solution 2 (photos from journal Focus Junior)

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Archimedes journal ARCHIMEDES journal is an interactive review devoted to entertaining & involving the readers with puzzles, recreational mathematics and visual creativity. This journal is published for an audience without a specific math background. Each issue covers a broad range of mental and hands-on activities for the reader to enjoy! Workshop image "How to focus attention? Encourage creative exploration?" Multicultural interactive puzzle activities & workshops for museums and institutions.
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