Mathematics of securing a box with a single rubber band

Vyasanakere, Jayanth and Nityananda, Rajaram (2021) Mathematics of securing a box with a single rubber band. Resonance: Journal of Science Education, 26 (6). pp. 841-850. ISSN 0973-712X

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Abstract

In this article, we study the configuration of a rubber bandwrapped around a (sweet) box. The rubber band is a looptrying to attain minimum length. We, therefore, study suchcurves, also known as closed geodesics, on a cuboid whichis the typical shape of such a box. The arguments should beaccessible even to a high school student, while the conclusionshave elements of surprise and hence interest.

Item Type:	Article
Authors:	Vyasanakere, Jayanth and Nityananda, Rajaram
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Rubber band, Cuboid, Closed geodesics, Straight line, Geometric mean
Subjects:	Natural Sciences > Mathematics
Divisions:	Azim Premji University - Bengaluru > School of Arts and Sciences
Full Text Status:	Public
URI:	http://publications.azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/id/eprint/2754
Publisher URL:	https://www.ias.ac.in/article/fulltext/reso/026/06...

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