The unexpected math of origami | Evan Zodl

The video explores the design of a starshade inspired by origami, an ancient Japanese art of paper folding. It delves into the principles of origami, focusing on crease patterns and the mathematical rules that govern flat foldable designs. The video highlights the four essential rules for creating these patterns and demonstrates their application in designing complex shapes. It also discusses the practical applications of origami in fields like space exploration, medicine, and technology, showcasing how origami principles are used to create compact, efficient designs in various industries.

What is the primary function of the starshade in telescopes?

• To enhance the color of stars

• To capture images of planets

• To block the glare from nearby stars

• To magnify distant stars

Origami is an art form that primarily involves which of the following?

• Cutting paper into shapes

• Folding paper into various designs

• Painting on paper

• Gluing paper pieces together

What is the significance of crease patterns in origami?

• They help in gluing the paper together

• They serve as blueprints for folding designs

• They determine the color of the final model

• They are used to cut the paper into shapes

Which of the following is NOT a rule for flat, foldable crease patterns in origami?

• The pattern must be two colorable

• The number of mountain and valley folds must differ by two

• A layer cannot penetrate a fold

• All angles at a vertex must add up to 360 degrees

How do origami principles benefit medical engineering?

• By developing colorful bandages

• By designing compact stent grafts

• By inventing new surgical techniques

• By creating decorative medical tools

What is a tessellation in the context of origami?

• A colorful origami model

• A 3D sculpture made from paper

• A repeating pattern of shapes covering a plane

• A single folded shape

Which of the following is an example of origami's application in technology?

• Developing plastic toys

• Building wooden sculptures

• Designing solar arrays

• Creating paper airplanes