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Description
The international A sizes of paper are so designed that if a sheet of A1 paper is cut in half, it produces two A2 pieces. Similarly, a sheet of A2 cut in half produces two A3 sheets. And so on. Now... although the size of the sheet is halved each time, its relative shape remains the same. This is demonstrated in studio by experiment, and also by the use of animation. The question is, what is the ratio of the two sides of an A-size sheet of paper. The viewer is carefully taking through the mathematical modelling of the problem, solutions are found, and compared with reality. A second paper cutting problem concerned with the Golden Section is similarly modelled and solved. This time the solution is found using a computer method of formula iteration, a new and very powerful technique. The viewer is left at the end with the opening stages of a mathematical model of a problem taken from the highway code. This problem must also be solved using formula iteration and is left as a post programme exercise.
Metadata describing this Open University video programme
Module code and title: M101, Mathematics: a foundation course
Item code: M101; 01; 1982
First transmission date: 1982
Published: 1982
Rights Statement:
Restrictions on use:
Duration: 00:23:55
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Producers: Jack Koumi; Glan Thomas
Contributors: Bob Coates; Norman Gowar; John Mason
Publisher: BBC Open University
Keyword(s): Equations; Formula iteration; Golden Section; Highway code; Iteration; Mathematical modelling; Paper sizes; Ratios; Symbols
Master spool number: HOU4010
Production number: FOUM136N
Videofinder number: 2425
Available to public: no