The above diagrams give the correct solution to the problem. It will be
noticed that 1 and 2 are cut into the required four pieces, all
different in shape, that fit together and form the perfect circle shown
in Diagram 3. It will further be observed that the two pieces A and B of
one shoe and the two pieces C and D of the other form two exactly
similar halves of the circle--the Yin and the Yan of the great Monad. It
will be seen that the shape of the horseshoe is more easily determined
from the circle than the dimensions of the circle from the horseshoe,
though the latter presents no difficulty when you know that the curve of
the long side of the shoe is part of the circumference of your circle.
The difference between B and D is instructive, and the idea is useful in
all such cases where it is a condition that the pieces must be different
in shape. In forming D we simply add on a symmetrical piece, a
curvilinear square, to the piece B. Therefore, in giving either B or D a
quarter turn before placing in the new position, a precisely similar
effect must be produced.
161.--THE BETSY ROSS PUZZLE.
Fold the circular piece of paper in half along the dotted line shown in
Fig. 1, and divide the upper half into five equal parts as indicated.
Now fold the paper along the lines, and it will have the appearance
shown in Fig. 2. If you want a star like Fig. 3, cut from A to B; if you
wish one like Fig. 4, cut from A to C. Thus, the nearer you cut to the
point at the bottom the longer will be the points of the star, and the
farther off from the point that you cut the shorter will be the points
of the star.
[Illustration]
162.--THE CARDBOARD CHAIN.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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