First we will discuss how to create a unit tetrahedron.
| First fold | |
| First cut | |
| Fold again | |
| Open and fold again | |
| Open and fold again | |
Having made individual tetrahedrons, now tape four together to make a larger shape.
To do this place and tape three small tetrahedrons together to form a base, then place and tape the fourth on top to the other three (like a pile of cannon balls). This will look like a pyramid with a hole in the middle.
Then take four of these shapes and make a larger shape in the same manner. At this stage we have used sixteen tetrahedrons.
Finally, put four of these shapes together to make the completed tetrahedron using sixty-four envelopes.
To go one more stage will require 256 envelopes in total and a lot of tape, time, patience, cleverness and cooperation to make it all fit.
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| The base and the completed first stage tetrahedron |
Return to Sierpinski Tetrahedron Project.