Topology Explains Why Automobile Sunshades Fold Oddly

Topology Explains Why Automobile Sunshades Fold Oddly

Automobile sunshades always fold into an "odd" number of loops. The explanation why involves elementary topology (braid theory and linking number, both explained in detail here with definitions and examples), and an elementary fact from algebra about symmetric group.

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Veröffentlicht in:The College mathematics journal 2009-03, Vol.40 (2), p.93-98
Hauptverfasser: Feist, Curtis, Naimi, Ramin
Format: Artikel
Sprache:eng
Schlagworte:
Absolute value
Algebra
Automobiles
Braided composites
Braiding
College Mathematics
Mathematical analysis
Mathematical Concepts
Mathematics Instruction
Odd numbers
Parasols
Teaching Methods
Theorems
Topology
Zero
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Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:Automobile sunshades always fold into an "odd" number of loops. The explanation why involves elementary topology (braid theory and linking number, both explained in detail here with definitions and examples), and an elementary fact from algebra about symmetric group.
ISSN:0746-8342
1931-1346
DOI:10.1080/07468342.2009.11922343