Wrapping presents on the diagonal

Dr. Sara Santos is a popular mathematician and speaker on mathematics.  She has worked out a method for wrapping boxes (rectangular prisms) as efficiently as possible. (Watch the video above)  Her method was written up in this article in Mental Floss and she was interviewed about her wrapping paper method in this video clip from The One Show.

In this activity students determine if this method for minimizing wrapping paper is actually more efficient then the traditional method.   For a hands on learning experiment, have students actually wrap a small rectangular prism using any available paper in both the traditional and diagonal methods. Then let them compare the two quantities of wrapping paper and decide which method uses less paper and by what percent.

Wind chill


Dudley on a cold and windy day.


The activity:  WindChill.pdf

Hanukkah is almost here!


The activity: hebrew-calendar2021.pdf

Thanksgiving, shopping, football and giving




2 New Macy’s Parade balloons



The activity: 2NewMacy'sBalloons2021.pdf

Shopping season already!

with this timely investigation.

The activity: Sales-already.pdf