Tangloids
A mathematical game for two players devised by Piet Hein to model the calculus of spinors. Two flat blocks of wood each pierced with three tiny holes are joined with three parallel strings. Each player holds one of the blocks of wood. The first player holds one block of wood still, while the other player rotates the other block of wood around any axis for 4π radians (two full revolutions). Then the first player tries to untangle the strings without rotating either piece of wood. Only translations (sliding the pieces) are allowed. Afterward, the players reverse roles; whoever can untangle the strings fastest is the winner.
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• GAMES AND PUZZLES
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