(Oxigar’ is an art form with roots in Asia more than 1,000 years inthe past, and likely coinlding with the invention of paper nearly 2,000 years ago. The Japanese word ‘organ literally means Told, paper’ In- terest in the mathematics of origami arose only inthe ast century, and 1 focus on “computational origami" only since the 19905. In this pat, [have selected three approachable topic. The fist so ‘concern “at folding,” a specialized form of origami. We frst concen- trate on single-vertex lat flds that, although not very exiting as oi- ‘mi, Include some beautiful mathematical regulars. These cegula- ries will help us i the next chapter explain the amazing “Feld and (One-Cut” theorem, which is perhaps the prettiest result so far obtai- red in mathematical origami. And we close this Pat ofthe book with another suprising but more specialized theerem, che “Shopping Bag” theorem. B Flat Vertex Folds ‘Although an origami folding generally produces @ 3D objec, such as ‘the ubiquitous crane, intermediate stage ofthe felding ae often flat, that is parallel layers of paper squashed into plane, 28 in Figure 4.1 In fac, flat origami as an end-product fs Is own well-developed art form, In this chapter, we examine some of te surprsing regularities pre- sent in Nat organ, and then couch on the pethaps even more surpi- ‘sing technical unknowns lurking ina problem as commonplace a fl- ding a map. ‘4 vouneam ana vaney creases ‘When you foi a sheet of paper in half, yeu create a straight-line cease ‘that extends from one edge ofthe paper © an opposite edge. A crease snaps fibers in the paper, which is why tke crease imprint remains af- ter the creasing pressure is released, and why you cannot erase a crea- se completely by uncreasing ~ the fibers remain broken. Origami erea- ses need not in general extend from edge 0 edge of the paper bes folded, With some care, you can crease a ine segment in the interior of ‘the paper, with neither endpoint atthe paper ede. (Greases come in two varieties: those cated by a mountin fold and ‘those by a valle fold, with natural meanings; see Figure 42. Tradtio nally, valley folds are indicated in origami diagrams as dashed lines — ~~ = =, and mountain folds by a dasheot patter, = + = += +~. Be- ‘cause these pattems are easily confused ly the eye, we opt for the un- ‘conventional red for mountain and gren or valley. (Memory aide: redsunset iting peaks, lush green valleys) Whether a crease represents 4 mountain ora valley fold depends on the point of view: From the un- dersie, a mountain fold becomes a valley fold, and vice versa. igue 41.The ouard organ crane, shown aa ar fing bene wings Map into 3D, Al’ Mountain fold ‘igure 4.2, Mountain and valley folds, ADT singh Vertex Fat Folds ‘There is already a rich mathematical structure in one of the simplest ‘at origami constructions: a fat folding containing a single vertex. A vertex in an origami onstruction is any point not on the boundary of ‘the paper at which to or more creases meet. simple example is the result of folding a sheet of paper in half rice: once top-to-bottom, and then lefto-ight, which produces a vertex at which four creases meet; see Figure 43, in which the owo ses ofthe paper are colored dife- rent shades.o @ Figure 43. Degree 4 vertex: (2) MountaiValle creases on lighter side of ‘sper backside is darker. (2) Flat folding, Te three valley ceases come ‘mountain ceases on the darker side, ®) Figure 44, Degroe6 verte: () cease pattm;(b) folding Some shets are shown pray ansarent “More complicated examples can be male by terminating a eease at the vertex, for example, 2 in Figures 4.4. and 4.5. Exercise 4.1 (Practice) Four Mountain Crass. Create four mountain creases meeting a a central verte, as hewn in Figute 4.6, as follows, Fold a piece of paper in half, top to boron. Now unfold completely, and fold i in half, lft ro right so that tke two perpendicular creases are both mountain creases (or valley creases from the opposite side). ‘Open the paper agin. Convince yourself 29 manipulation thatthe pa- ‘er cannot fold flat with just those four eases mountain folded and ‘meeting atthe central vertex x (as they doin Figure 4.3(0). ih Figure 45. Degree 8 verter: () cree pater; () folding.