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The unexpected math of origami - Evan Zodl

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TEDEd Animation

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Origami, which literally translates to “folding paper,” is a Japanese practice dating back to at least the 17th century. In origami, a single, traditionally square sheet of paper can be transformed into almost any shape, purely by folding. The same simple concepts yield everything from a paper crane with about 20 steps, to a dragon with over 1,000 steps. Evan Zodl explores the ancient art form.

Based on the laws of flat-foldability, if there are five valley folds at an interior crease intersection, there must also be ___ mountain folds in order for the crease pattern to fold flat.

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Meet The Creators

  • Educator Evan Zodl
  • Director Charlotte Arene
  • Narrator Jack Cutmore-Scott
  • Animator Charlotte Arene
  • Sound Designer Amanda P.H. Bennett, cAMP Studio, Salil Bhayani
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
  • Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Editorial Producer Elizabeth Cox
  • Script Editor Alex Gendler
  • Fact-Checker Eden Girma

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