Apologies if my question sounds a bit mixed-up! I actually saw this shown on TV once: you twist a straight piece of paper and then join the two ends to make a circle. If you try to draw a line on one side of the circle, eg: the inner side, the line automatically goes on the outer side too, due to the curve of the paper. I hope someone out there understands what i'm referring to!
2006-06-19 22:26:03 · 13 answers · asked by ~*~ 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
It's called a Möbius strip.
2006-06-19 22:32:49 · answer #1 · answered by Bog woppit. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a Mobius band or strip. It is named after it's inventor.
I have listed a link that shows some interesting activie in creating and using the strip. It is amazing how much half a twist can change the way a peice of paper behaves. What do you think happens when you twist the strip twice before gluing it? What about three times?
Would using a longer strip of paper change the way tie Mobius band behaves? The Mobius strip is one of the objects studied in Topology. Topology studies the properties of objects that do not depend on a distance. This is why topology is also called rubber sheet geometry.
There are many other interesting puzzles in topology.
But topology has its practical side too. It is now being used to create new chemicals, and also to help study DNA.
If you enjoy playing with the Mobius Strip, I think that you will also enjoy "The Shape of Space", a book by Jeff Weeks.
Enjoy playing with your Mobius strip!
2006-06-20 06:08:20 · answer #2 · answered by Triple M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a Moebius Strip, discovered by a German chap called (funnily enuf) Mr Moebius. It is a strip of paper given a half twist and the ends joined together. The half twist adds an interesting topological quality to the strip- rather than having 2 sides and two edges, you have 1 side and 1 edge. Hence being able to draw on BOTH sides of the paper, without lifting the pencil. The three dimensional version (i.e., having the inside and the outside on the same plane (I think?)) is called a Klein bottle. Back to the Moebius strip- take a strip of paper, join the ends (no twists) and then cut the strip in half, longways. What do you get? Yep, two strips of paper. Now try it with an M-strip. One strip of paper, with three half-twists. Try running a search for Martin Gardener, used to write for Scientific American, fantastic on the subject of odd mathematics. If you can find the info on making tetratetraflexagons, you may never leave the house again...
2006-06-20 05:39:29 · answer #3 · answered by Laurence R 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's known as a Mobius strip. Invented by August Ferdinand Mobius, a German mathematician (1790-1868)
2006-06-20 11:37:11 · answer #4 · answered by MR JOHN R K 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Moebius Strip
2006-06-20 05:34:45 · answer #5 · answered by mariaannette 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
An Elliptical Cylinder
2006-06-20 05:30:17 · answer #6 · answered by medhruv 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A Mobius Band
See the web site below for further information
2006-06-20 05:34:18 · answer #7 · answered by Jeff J 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Mobius strip. It's a piece of paper with just one side instead of two.
2006-06-20 05:31:11 · answer #8 · answered by Lleh 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
a mobius strip
2006-06-20 06:09:31 · answer #9 · answered by simchiman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is called "Moebius band". It's shape is taken to be the sign for "infinite" - "â".
2006-06-20 06:02:33 · answer #10 · answered by Vlada M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋