MAA Undergraduate Activity Session
Chop-Chop! A Look at Dissection Puzzles
Travis Kowalski
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
by Daluss Siewart
Black Hills State University
Dr. Travis Kowalski from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology conducted an interesting and enlightening student activity session at MathFest on Friday, August 7th. Dr. Kowalski discussed the mathematics of popular dissection puzzles – the Tangram and the Stomachion. Dr. Kowalski posed some intriguing questions, such as, what Tangram constructions are convex and what is the solution to Archimedes’ Stomachion Puzzle. Dr. Kowalski discussed the history of the these puzzles and questions dating back to the third century A.D. as well as results as recent as 2003. The nearly 40 students and other attendees were actively involved since each were given their own Tangram puzzle to use while they investigated how many Tangram constructions are convex and other interesting questions. Dr. Kowalski ended this activity by outlining a proof of the convexity question to give students a feel for how to tackle such problems. The activity was thoroughly enjoyed by those who attended. Dr. Kowalski allowed the participants to take the Tangram puzzles home with them so there is sure to be additional discussion and investigation at Math Club meetings this Fall.