Object Details
- Description
- This is the sixteenth in a series of models of plane figures (surface forms) designed by William Wallace Ross, a school superintendent and mathematics teacher in Fremont, Ohio. It illustrates the Pythagorean theorem for a right triangle of sides of length 3, 4, and 5.
- The unpainted wooden object consists of a central right angled triangle with a square attached to each side. The smallest square is undivided. A paper sticker on it has a mark that reads: Right Angled Triangle with Attached (/) Squares 3x4x5. The next largest square is divided into four pieces and has a paper sticker with a diagram on it attached to one piece. The largest square is divided into three unequal pieces, with a paper sticker with a diagram on it attached to one piece. The backs of the three squares are divided into square grids. Rearranging the four pieces adjacent to the medium-sized square around the small square gives a square equal in area to the largest square. One also can rearrange the pieces of the large square to form two adjacent squares, each equal in area to one of the smaller squares.
- This illustration of the Pythagorean theorem is associated with the English mathematician Henry Perigal.
- For further information about Ross models, including references, see 1985.0112.190.
- Reference:
- Henry Perigal, “On geometric dissections and transformations, The Messenger of Mathematics, 1, 1874, pp. 103-106.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
- date made
- ca 1895
- Credit Line
- Gift of Wesleyan University
- Physical Description
- wood (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 1 cm x 25.5 cm x 29.2 cm; 13/32 in x 10 1/32 in x 11 1/2 in
- Object Name
- Geometric Model
- geometric model
