Skip to 0 minutes and 5 seconds A mathematician is an adventurer, an explorer in an imaginary world full of secrets, equipped only with an inquisitive mind and a twinkle in his eye. Hello, I’m Dr. Yossi Elran and in this course we’re going to study some amazing objects - Flexagons! Flexagons are twisted strips of paper, assembled in such a way, that they have more than two sides, creating the most unusual properties! Throughout the course, we’re going to make and explore some of these fascinating, paper constructions, and by the end of the course, you’ll be able to create your own flexagons and understand some of the fun math behind them. We’re in for a real treat! Click on ‘Join’ to join.
Learn how to make flexagons - beautiful and unique paper constructions - and explore the math behind them.
7,585 enrolled on this course
Duration
3 weeksWeekly study
2 hours100% online
How it works
Flexagons and the Math Behind Twisted Paper
Discover the unusual math of twisted strips of paper
Flexagons are twisted strips of folded paper, which reveal their properties when flexed.
This online course will explain what flexagons are, their history and their naming conventions. You’ll find out how to create your own flexagons and be able to share them with our global community of learners.
You’ll also explore mathematical fields that provide tools to analyze flexagons, including topology and graph theory and learn about Möbius strips, Tuckermann diagrams and more.
What topics will you cover?
- The invention of flexagons
- How to make flexagons
- Cyclic and non-cyclic flexagons
- Advanced flexagons
- Möbius strips and their surprising properties
- The math behind flexagons, Möbius strips and knotted paper bands
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Produce, create and fold Flexagons and Mobius Strips
- Explore flexagons and discover some of their unique properties
- Synthesize your knowledge and discover links between different mathematical tools
Who is the course for?
This course is aimed at learners who enjoy being creative, solving puzzles, folding paper and revealing hidden mathematics. It will be especially useful for parents or teachers looking to inspire a love of math and do fun math activities with young people.
Who will you learn with?
I'm a recreational mathematician and metagrobologist and head our institute's technology in education unit. I have a Ph.D. in theoretical quantum chemistry, and think math and science are really cool!
Who developed the course?
Davidson Institute of Science Education at the Weizmann Institute of Science
The Weizmann Institute of Science is one of the world’s leading multidisciplinary basic research institutions in the natural and exact sciences. The Davidson Institute of Science Education is the educational arm of the Weizmann Institute.
Ways to learn | Buy this course | Subscribe & save | Limited access |
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Choose the best way to learn for you! | $54/one-off payment | $244.99 for a whole year Automatically renews | Free |
Fulfill your current learning need | Develop skills to further your career | Sample the course materials | |
Access to this course | tick | tick | Access expires 25 Feb 2025 |
Access to 1,000+ courses | cross | tick | cross |
Learn at your own pace | tick | tick | cross |
Discuss your learning in comments | tick | tick | tick |
Tests to check your learning | tick | tick | cross |
Certificate when you're eligible | Printed and digital | Digital only | cross |
Cancel for free anytime |
Ways to learn
Choose the best way to learn for you!
Subscribe & save
$244.99 for a whole year
Automatically renews
Develop skills to further your career
- Access to this course
- Access to 1,000+ courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Tests to boost your learning
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Cancel for free anytime
Buy this course
$54/one-off payment
Fulfill your current learning need
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Tests to boost your learning
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Limited access
Free
Sample the course materials
- Access expires 25 Feb 2025
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply. |
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.
Learning on FutureLearn
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- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
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Join a global classroom
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- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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