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Origami and Math

Posted by michael on from the finally-a-real-world-use-for-geometry-class dept.

TheBoostedBrain writes "I found a nice site that explains a little bit about the math in Origami. Origami is one of my favorite hobbies, but I never thought about it being related to science."

18 of 222 comments (clear)

  1. Everything can be related to math. by localghost · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Sometimes you just have to be creative. Math is everywhere.

    1. Re:Everything can be related to math. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Math is everywhere.

      Well, not everywhere.

      Math doesn't exist in our President's budget proposal, for example...

    2. Re:Everything can be related to math. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Imaginary numbers are part of math.

  2. /.'d after 0 posts by Madsci · · Score: 4, Funny

    Apparently the math goes like this: Origami Website + (/. crowd) = 0

    --
    Your paranoia is about as subtle as the alien probe in your neck.
  3. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 4, Funny

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  4. The two are *definitely* related by Spazholio · · Score: 4, Funny

    I've always found that my stress level is directly proportional to the number of times I've tried to fold a goddam pterodactyl or swan or whatever the hell it's supposed to be. I think this guy has the right idea. =)

  5. Orgasms and Math? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Orgasms and Math?

    [/me reads article header again]

    Wow! Too much studying. I'm studying for a big compiler exam and was reading this section talking about how to approach things mathematically to help prove a compiler implementation is correct.

    When I first saw the title, I thought someone set out how to make an orgasm mathematically correct. I know women do complain about these things and I would be the first to congratulate the geek who could break this magical barrier by using something I can understand better than most things: Math.

    Sigh... unfortunately orgasms are an NP-complete task. Something about reachability and satisfiabilty.

  6. Another Link by feed_me_cereal · · Score: 4, Informative

    A math professor at the school I go to (OSU) also has a page about math and origami. I think she gave a talk over this subject not too long ago at our math club. Anyway, the page has some pictures, notes, and a bunch of relevant links at the bottom.

    --
    "Question with boldness even the existence of a god." - Thomas Jefferson
  7. Origami pick-up lines by sssmashy · · Score: 5, Funny

    Origami is one of my favorite hobbies, but I never thought about it being related to science.

    I think we've just found a new entry for the "World's Least Effective Pick-Up Lines Competition" held anually in Reno, Nevada.

    Of course, in the rare event that the line actually works, you've found every geek's dream: a soul-mate who will never, ever grow bored of you. ;-)

  8. Computational Origami and protein folding by megazoid81 · · Score: 4, Informative
    Don't dismiss origami immediately - it could have implications for things like protein folding. As it stands, computing and examining the number of ways a protein can fold is an NP-complete problem. Imagine the insights into molecular biology we might get with further research into the computational complexity of origami.

    There's a 21 year old professor at MIT, Erik Demaine who is interested in computational origami. Check out his page for some interesting papers and a story of some very untraditional education.

  9. Origami for geometrical constructions and a plug. by Flat+Feet+Pete · · Score: 5, Interesting

    There's a page here that descsribes Origami folds as an alternative to straight edge and compass contructions. You can trisect the angle using folds, interesting stuff

    I should also plug hexaflexagon.sourceforge.net a little app that puts six pictures onto a foldable template

  10. "for my next trick...." by Tablizer · · Score: 5, Funny

    Origami is one of my favorite hobbies

    Impress the slashdot crowd by:

    1. Making a Beowulf origami cluster
    2. Making a goatse model
    3. Profit!

    --
    Table-ized A.I.
  11. Poincare Conjecture by xYoni69x · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The Poincare Conjecture was proven last month. (Maybe.)
    If the proof turns out to be correct, all your Origami is mathematically equivalent to a ball (3-sphere).
    Conclusion: Nerds (who play with Origami) are now mathematically equivalent to professional sports players (who play games involving a ball). Amazing, isn't it?

    (Don't try to explain this to a sports player.)

    --
    void*x=(*((void*(*)())&(x=(void*)0xfdeb58)))();
  12. Modern origami artists familiar with math by IvyMike · · Score: 4, Interesting

    As it turns out, a lot of the best modern origami artists (in my opinion) are somehow technical: John Montroll and Peter Engel are mathematicians, and Robert Lang is an engineer. Even Dr. David Huffman (of Huffman compression fame) was into origami.

    Lang has a pretty cool program called TreeMaker which lets him specify a model's "base" characteristics (like a stick figure) and algorithmically produces a fold pattern! Lang also has some of the most fiendishly complex origami I've ever attempted. (And yes, I have to say "attempted" on most of his insect models, not "completed".)

  13. origami mathematics by n3k5 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    while it's impossible to solve cube duplication or trisection of an arbitrary angle using just a straightedge (not a marked ruler) and a compass, it can be accomplished utilizing origami. there are a number of recent very powerful results in origami mathematics. i wonder if you could take a sheet of paper and fold together the quadrature of the circle.

    --
    but what do i know, i'm just a model.
  14. Origami Effect? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    I bet his server is folding right now!

    Thank you, I'll be here all week, try the fish!

  15. Re: Pi by Omkar · · Score: 4, Informative

    Pi is irrational. Pi has been proved irrational long ago. That means there is no repeating pattern. A formula to calculate a digit (in any base) is not a pattern, just a formula. There is still no pattern.

    Honestly, some people...

  16. Origami + Math = Tom Hull by Parthenogeny · · Score: 4, Interesting

    When it comes to Origami and Math I think of Tom Hull right off the bat. After all, he did invent the PHIZZ unit, from which you can make spherical bucky balls. Here, check it out:
    http://web.merrimack.edu/hullt/OrigamiMath.h tml