Don't You Like Math? Beware of Halloween!

If you don't like math, then on Halloween, evil forces will come for you!

Create two guards who will protect you from evil forces!

Well, or, be ready for the math exam….

We've got the shape nets to create two guards! The dodecahedron and icosahedron were chosen as the basis.

The icosahedron is a geometric solid that can be composed of twenty identical equilateral triangles.

The dodecahedron is a geometric solid that can be composed of twelve regular pentagons.

Two classical regular polyhedrons - the icosahedron and the dodecahedron - can be made in an unusual shape.

But now we cut holes inside the polyhedrons, like in a pumpkin for Halloween.

To assemble two models, we need two shape nets of A4 paper.

Glue, scissors. And about 1 hour of your time.

Even the youngest readers can handle these crafts.

It is advisable to find orange paper in tribute to the traditions of the holiday.

And, of course, the orange paper will remind us, as if we are carving a real pumpkin!

Step 1: The Icosahedron Assembly Diagram

For convenience, the fold lines can be drawn with a ballpoint pen. This will make the fold lines more precise.

Cut the shape net with ordinary scissors along the contour.

Bend all the elements of the net along the fold lines.

The fold should be done inward.

The process of gluing the net is straightforward.

The petals are marked with numbers indicating the gluing sequence.

Step 2: The Dodecahedron Assembly Diagram

The assembly of the dodecahedron is similar to the previous step.

Cut the shape net with ordinary scissors along the contour.

Bend all the elements of the shape net along the fold lines.

The fold should be done inward.

The process of gluing the net is straightforward.

The petals are marked with numbers indicating the gluing sequence.

Step 3: Mathematicians Can Joke Too!

On the one hand, it will be a decoration for the celebration of Halloween. On the other hand, it will remind you of these two wonderful geometric bodies' mathematical components.

The polyhedrons' dimensions are selected so that the polyhedron can be inscribed in a sphere with a diameter of 100 mm.

You can download the classic shape nets of the dodecahedron and icosahedron here.

Maybe there is a ready-made kit so that I don't cut out the parts, but just glue it together?

Yes, there is such a set. Called Magic Edges 12. It can be found on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FF7F1VQ

P.S. And someone already frightened children with polyhedrons?

In the popular cartoon "The Simpsons," Lisa shows the little girl a picture of a dodecahedron. By this, the cartoon authors wanted to show that the "dodecahedron" is something from the realm of science fiction. But you and I know that it's simple - mathematics.