image by Sciencey Things There are many curious mathematical conjectures, solutions and theories in the world; some old some new some false and some true. This one spiked my interest as it is a curious idea, one which I did not know much about. Let’s wind back the clock 153 years to the 18th Century, take off from our seats at our desks with our computers and speed around the world to Germany. As we observe two mathematicians in particular, August Ferdinand Möbius and Johann Benedict Listing we discover that independently of each other they both came up with the idea that a shape could be created in a 3 dimensional world which only has one side and one edge- a möbius strip Sound complex? It is reasonably complex, mathematically, yet you could create a model of one very easily. What you need: A4 piece of paper Scissors Tape Pen Cut a strip out of the A4 paper (lengthways)- 4-5 cm wide Hold the two ends together forming a smooth loop Turn one end 180 degrees and tape the ends together Done; you hold in your hand a paper model of möbius strip. Don’t believe me? Take the pen and start drawing a line down one side of the strip, keep drawing. If you did it right, then you should be able to keep drawing until you draw all the way back to where you started. See? One side. You may have noticed by now that this mathematical conjecture was named after August Ferdinand Möbius rather than Johann Benedict Listing: it seems that August published his discovery first; probably much to the horror of Johann. So what could this ever be used for? Well, large sized möbius strips have been used in conveyor belts so that each ‘side’ (not that there is more than one side on a möbius strip) gets the same amount of use, leading to them lasting much longer. Also, have you ever heard of continuous play tapes? Well they work off möbius strips as well, that way the tape can continue going around and around, no need to swap sides.

image by Sciencey Things

There are many curious mathematical conjectures, solutions and theories in the world; some old some new some false and some true. This one spiked my interest as it is a curious idea, one which I did not know much about.

Let’s wind back the clock 153 years to the 18th Century, take off from our seats at our desks with our computers and speed around the world to Germany. As we observe two mathematicians in particular, August Ferdinand Möbius and Johann Benedict Listing we discover that independently of each other they both came up with the idea that a shape could be created in a 3 dimensional world which only has one side and one edge- a möbius strip

Sound complex? It is reasonably complex, mathematically, yet you could create a model of one very easily.

What you need:

  • A4 piece of paper
  • Scissors
  • Tape
  • Pen
  1. Cut a strip out of the A4 paper (lengthways)- 4-5 cm wide
  2. Hold the two ends together forming a smooth loop
  3. Turn one end 180 degrees and tape the ends together

Done; you hold in your hand a paper model of möbius strip.

Don’t believe me? Take the pen and start drawing a line down one side of the strip, keep drawing. If you did it right, then you should be able to keep drawing until you draw all the way back to where you started. See? One side.

You may have noticed by now that this mathematical conjecture was named after August Ferdinand Möbius rather than Johann Benedict Listing: it seems that August published his discovery first; probably much to the horror of Johann.

So what could this ever be used for? Well, large sized möbius strips have been used in conveyor belts so that each ‘side’ (not that there is more than one side on a möbius strip) gets the same amount of use, leading to them lasting much longer. Also, have you ever heard of continuous play tapes? Well they work off möbius strips as well, that way the tape can continue going around and around, no need to swap sides.