09/03/2020
What Is a Mobius Strip?/How to Make an Ant's Life Harder
You may have heard your maths-crazy friends talking animatedly about Mobius strips. And believe me, they do have some exciting properties (yes, even for certified maths-haters).
First things first. The strip is named after a fellow called Mobius, who was one of the two mathematicians who discovered it independently.
You may be surprised to learn that making a Mobius strip is quite easy. In fact, you can make one right now as you read this post.
Take a strip of paper. Give one half-twist---or more than one if you want, but remember to give an odd number of half-twists---to one end and then stick the two ends together to form a loop.
Hopefully you have ended up with a loop like the one in the picture. (If not, I can't come and help you, can I? Go watch a video or something.)
Now we come to the 'making ants' lives harder' part. You see, if an ant started from any particular point on this strip and wanted to return to the same point, she would have to make 2 trips around the loop.
Don't believe me? Trace your fingers around the strip and see for yourself.
A Mobius strip is special because it has only one continuous side.
But of course, Mobius strips were not designed to trouble ants. They have been used in a variety of technology.
For instance, they have been used as conveyor belts. That way, the whole surface of the belt is utilized and gets the wear-and-tear.
Tell us if you had fun playing with your Mobius strip!
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