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Geometric Models, by R. H. Wood, a Student of A. H. Wheeler (Plane Dissection Illustrating Pythagorean Theorem), and by Wheeler (Quadrilateral)

National Museum of American History

Object Details

Wood, R. H.
Description
One of these two hinged dissection consists of five wooden pieces painted green and a sixth wooden piece, also painted green, that is a right triangle attached to the rest of the pieces so that its edges can line up with the other dissection in three ways (eg according to the length of the side of the right triangle of interest). The five pieces form Wheeler's model 5SA. The model is marked on one edge: 1928. It is marked on another edge: R.H. WOOD. The model illustrates the Pythagorean theorem.
A second hinged dissection consists of four plain wooden pieces which can be arranged as a triangle or a trapezoid. This is model 4X in Wheeler's list of decompositions of polygons (under quadrilaterals). Compare MA.304723.762.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Gift of Louise D. Campbell
1928
ID Number
1979.3002.022
catalog number
1979.3002.022
nonaccession number
1979.3002
Object Name
geometric models
geometric models
Physical Description
wood (overall material)
metal (overall material)
green (overall color)
brown (overall color)
wooden pieces hinged together (overall production method/technique)
Measurements
average spatial: 2 cm x 22 cm x 19 cm; 25/32 in x 8 21/32 in x 7 15/32 in
place made
United States: Massachusetts, Worcester
associated place
United States: Massachusetts, Worcester
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Mathematics
Plane Dissections
National Museum of American History
Subject
Mathematics
Record ID
nmah_1141320
Metadata Usage (text)
CC0
GUID (Link to Original Record)
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a9-cfbd-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
Geometric Model - Plane Dissection Relating to the Pythagorean Theorem by R. H. Wood, student of A. Harry Wheeler
There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
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