Tangrams
History
- Tangrams is a very old game originating in China. There are hundreds of shapes that can be made from all seven pieces.
- It is fun to make a set of pieces (tans) out of wood (instructions can be found in the references below).
- There are different ways to play the game:
- You can attempt to build given shapes as in our game of Patterns (which is recommended by the International Tangrams Society).
- Time yourself and challenge your friends to beat your time.
- Try to invent shapes of your own using all the pieces.
- See if you can find more than one solution to any given puzzle.
- Can be used for various geometrical exercises.
- Try Tangrams in java
- Join the discussion group at Yahoo for tangrams.
References
- Time Travel and Other Mathematical Bewilderments by Martin Gardner, pages 28-54. There are two whole chapters on Tangrams in this book and many other references at the end of the chapters. It also has some other interesting chapters as the title implies.
- Puzzles Old & New by Jerry Slocum and Jack Botermans, pages 23-33. This is a fantastic book and covers some similar puzzles. The book also describes how to make and solve a variety of puzzles. They don't always give you the solution, in fact they imply there are some without a solution. Hmmm!
- New book of Puzzles by Jerry Slocum and Jack Botermans, pages 7-8. This book is also full of puzzles to build and (attempt to) solve.
- The Eighth Book of Tan by Sam Loyd, Dover 1968. A practical joke on the world by one of the most famous puzzle creators of all time. This is a reprint of a rare book (1903) where Loyd had the world believing there were 7 very old books (4000 yrs old) with a thousand shapes in each.
- Tangrams, 330 Puzzles, by Ronald C. Read, Dover 1965
- THE MASTER REVEALED - A Journey with Tangrams, A cool book with over 475 original designs by Barbara E. Ford, 1990, Tandoras Box Press, PO Box 8073, Vallejo CA 94590-9998
- Mathematical Puzzles & Diversions by Martin Gardner pages 211-213. The 2nd book of Scientific American Collections.
- A Sage's Journey, A short but well written book aimed at teaching math to kids (of all ages). by John L. Lehet, 1998 MathMaverick Press, PO Box 41, Waterford CT 06385
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