Math/Art Learning Project: 60 Playing Card Polyhedron

My group created Deltoidal Hexecontahedron, which is made up of 60 playing cards in total. From this construction, I can explore matematical ideas of symmetry, shapes, and counting. It is very interesting to see that every pentagonal face is symmetrical to the one on the other side. Also, there are different shapes such as pentagons, triangles, and rhombi in this work of art. It has pentagonal and rhomic openings. Since the construction has 12 identical pentagonal faces with pentagonal opening in the middle, it has 12 pentagonal openings in total. Similarly, since 5 rhombic openings overlap each other between 12 pentagonal faces, there are 12*5/2=30 rhombic openings in this 60 card construction.

The hardest part while making this polyhedron is to make 3-fold lock. It is easy to slide the first two cards together. However, it becomes tricky when third card slides into the first two cards. Although these three cards become planar later, they should be bent while being joined. Moreover, it’s important that four slits in each card are cut as accurately as possible, so three cards can be locked together. Other than that, the rest of the process is straightforward and easy to follow.

Throughout math/art project, I started to look around, so I could find any math involved in art. Then, I realized that math is art, and art is math. Nevertheless, many people simply do not notice that many works of art and architecture are made using mathematical principles. Indeed, there are many buildings with different patterns in mathematics. People should carefully examine works of art around them so that they not only see outer visible surface but also think about math and art connections. Indeed, it is always an exciting moment for teachers and students when they start to think mathematically as well as creatively.