Maths Resource: Pop-up Polyhedra

Author(s): David Cassell

Source: Mathematics in School, Vol. 17, No. 1 (Jan., 1988), pp. 24-27
Published by: The Mathematical Association
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/30214425 .
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 maths
by David Cassell, HewettSchool Norwich

Pop-Up Polyhedra
Making models of polyhedra has long been a popular classroom activity and judging by the

r number of construction kits available they continue to be so.

One model which I have always found fascinates children is the dodecahedron outlined in
Cundy & Rollett made from two pieces each of which consists of a pentagon surrounded by five
more pentagons. The model fits together without glue by virtue of its shape and is held together
by an elastic band "woven" around the middle. To the delight of pupils this folds flat and then
pops into shape when released. When a further example came my way from a set of notes from the
"Think of a Number" programme consisting of an octahedron which similarly popped together
by virtue of an elastic band held inside by a pair of hooks, I endeavoured to see what other shapes
e could be produced similarly.
The other shapes came by a process of observing the construction of packaging and by some
unexpected eurekas. The hexagonal prism and the pseudo-star derived from failed attempts to
produce other shapes which collapsed. Work is in progress to find a true stellated polyhedra
which will fold flat and self erect using only one elastic band. These shapes not only fascinated
pupils but had the advantages of being easy to construct and folding flat to fit neatly inside
exercise books. A refinement to the original dodecahedron, which was inclined to collapse if the
elastic band was too tight was made by putting flaps in the gaps. A further refinement is to make
s holes on the centre of the pentagon points around the edge and thread elastic through these.
The nets for the models are shown here and below are some brief instructions for their
construction which seldom produces difficulty. For best results the card used needs to be fairly
thick - something between cereal packet and shoe box. The length of elastic band varies between
models but knotting bands together has the added advantage that it prevents slipping. Care needs
to be taken with the hooks.

Octahedron
Carefully cut the shape out taking care, as with all the models, with the flaps. Score along all the
lines and fold them each inwards to gain the edges. Fold all the flaps completely inwards and glue
the outside of these. Fold the shape in half down its line of symmetry so that each flap is glued to the
opposite flap of the same letter. When the glue is dry gently open the shape and stretch an elastic
band between the two hooks.

Tetrahedron

u More able pupils might like to find the ratio of the two sides of the net. Score the lines and fold
inwards and then fold the flaps inwards as before. Fold along the long line of symmetry so that A is
glued to A and B to B on the inside of the shape. Hook an elastic band over the hooks, a pencil may be
needed.

Dodecahedron
Cut out the two halves and score all the lines. Fold the solid lines to produce hill folds the dotted
lines to give valley folds. The V shapes can then be folded in to provide tucks which then forms the
two halves. To assemble the shape it is necessary to place the two flattened halves together with
r insides touching so that the points on the pentagons match up with the tucks on the opposite half.
The elastic band is then woven over the top points and under the bottom points.

Cuboid
Cut out the two slightly different halves and score and fold the lines. The two halves are then joined
using the hooked flaps to form a loop. The elastic band is best put on at this stage between the
diagonally opposite hooks. The top and bottom triangles can then be joined to the sides by means of
c the flaps. This will need to be left to dry under a book.

Prism
This pattern is similar to the cuboid. The two halves are first joined by the hooked flaps and the
elastic band put on. The flaps on the top and bottom are turned inwards and with the shape held flat
the halves of the top and bottom joined.

e Star
Cut out the shape, score the lines and fold according to the above convention. Fold all the flaps
inward and then put the two halves together glueing all but the flaps nearest the 'mouth' of the
shape. Put on the elastic band and holding the shape flat glue the remaining flaps.

24 Mathematicsin School, January1988

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 Octahedron

Tetrahedron

,,
.m

MRes 77 +
Mathematicsin School, January1988 25

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 Dodecahedron(2)

Box(2)

MRes 78 +
26 Mathematicsin School, January1988

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 Prism(2)

S00

%I j

1
+ /

' S
1

\ Star (2)

MRes 79 +

Mathematicsin School, January1988 27

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