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.
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.
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
- 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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