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.
Related category
• GAMES
AND PUZZLES
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