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Trigonometry by Paper Folding

Given a square piece of paper, prove using just three folds the trigonometric identity:

arctan(1) + arctan(2) + arctan(3) = π.

Demonstration

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Copyright © 1996-2010Alexander Bogomolny

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We need to prove the following:

arctan(1) + arctan(2) + arctan(3) = π.

With the notation as in the diagram below, make three folds: BD, EF (E and F are the midpoints of AB and CD, respectively), and EC.

  arctan(1) + arctan(2) + arctan(3) = pi, #1

From ΔBCE, ∠BEG = ∠NEC = arctan(2). From ΔABD, ∠EBG = ∠ABD = arctan(1). To establish the assertion, we only need to show that ∠BGE = arctan(3), for then in ΔBEG the angles are exactly arctan(1), arctan(2, arctan(3).

Imagine adding a diagonal AC and mark the center of the square H. H lies on AC, BD, and EF.

  arctan(1) + arctan(2) + arctan(3) = pi, #1

In ΔABC, BH and CE are two medians and G is the centroid. G divides the medians in the ratio 2:1. It follows that GH = BH/3. In ΔCGH, CH = BH = 3×GH, implying ∠BGE = ∠CGH = arctan(3).

Note: Elsewhere we prove another curiosity: arctan(1/2) + arctan(1/3) = arctan(1).

References

  1. Michael W. Ecker, arctan(1) + arctan(2) + arctan(3) = π, College Mathematics Journal, VOL. 37, NO. 3, MAY 2006, pp. 218-219

Copyright © 1996-2010Alexander Bogomolny

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