# Can you fold a square into a square of one-third the area

I do not love origami, but Mitsuko gave me an idea for a extremely hard and (not that?) beautiful puzzle. I'm really curious whether anyone here can solve it.

So here's the puzzle. You are given a large perfectly square piece of paper with no marks on it. With this square, you have to make a square of exactly one-third the area of the original square. You are given no tools such as a ruler or scissors, and all you can do is fold the paper. How do you solve this?

EDIT: Though I did not explicitly ask it, I would like a 'beautiful' solution, which for me means just using geometry not algebra. I just realized that such a solution is possible. A simple explanation, a centered solution and little folds are also a plus i.m.o. but if I soon get a correct geometry based solution (like in the one-fifth problem I based this one on), I will accept that one instead of one of the correct algebra based ones I already have or may get.

Note: There are several answers now with different approaches. I can only accept one, but I'd suggest reading a few least, if you are interested in ways to solve this.

• If I remember correctly, paper folding can construct all cubic tower extensions (thus in particular everything constructable by compass and straightedge can be done with paper folding). The procedure is also to some extent algorithmic. Oct 2 '20 at 11:07
• After searching, I found this wiki page which also links to this one. Oct 2 '20 at 11:15
• @WhatsUp I am not sure what you are trying to say. Note that Haga's theorems talk about rational fractions of the sides, which does not apply here. Oct 2 '20 at 12:30
• If you have enough mathematical background (e.g. some basic Galois theory), then you may read the linked pages above (especially the last one) and the references loc. cit. to understand what I was saying. Otherwise just ignore my comments. Oct 2 '20 at 13:21

This one uses (very likely) minimal number of folds.

EDIT: Removed the reassembly-based proof and added a more formal proof.

### The steps

Fold vertically in half to produce $$EF$$, and fold through $$C$$ so that $$D$$ is placed over $$EF$$. Then $$DG$$ is one side of the 1/3 square.

Fold through $$BD$$ and fold through $$G$$ perpendicular to $$AD$$, and then unfold both folds. Then we get the square $$DGHJ$$.

We used 4 folds in total.

In order to fold into a square, fold $$GH$$ first, then $$DH$$ to find $$J$$, then $$HJ$$, and then unfold $$DH$$. This uses 5 folds in total.

### The proof

Think of the mirror image of the first part:

We can observe that the triangles $$CD'F$$ and $$DC'F$$ are congruent (have same shape and size) because they are mirror images of each other. This means $$D'F = C'F$$ and therefore $$D' = C'$$. By the property of paper folding, $$D'C = DC = C'D$$, and since $$D' = C'$$, the triangle $$DCD'$$ is an equilateral triangle. So the angle $$DCD'$$ is $$60^\circ$$. Again by the property of paper folding, the angles $$DCG$$ and $$D'CG$$ are equal, which means they are both $$30^\circ$$. Since $$\tan 30^\circ = 1/\sqrt3$$, it follows that $$DG = (1/\sqrt3) DC$$, and $$DG^2 = DC^2/3$$, thus finishing the proof that the new square has one third area of the original.

• It's a lovely method with so few folds. I'm not sure the rectangle dissection is useful here as proof. That construction works regardless of the length of $DG$, so the non-mathematician explanation is not proof that it it is exactly a 1:3 aspect ratio. For the mathematician explanation, I'd go straight from $DG=\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}CD$ to $DG^2=\frac{1}{3}CD^2$ and not bother with the rectangle. I think it is also important to prove that the angle is $30$ from showing that $DCD'$ is an equilateral triangle. Oct 5 '20 at 8:40
• I was going to say three things, but Jaap beat me to it. If you could correct the two 'flaws' in the proof part, I likely will accept this answer. Oct 5 '20 at 9:27
• Note, one way to make it more obvious to 'non mathematicians' may be to apply the process twice. Than the equilateral triangle can be used to reason that the side is 1/3 and volume is 1/9 after the second pass Oct 5 '20 at 10:21
• minor note: Ii seems you forgot the fifth fold HJ. Oct 7 '20 at 9:13
• No, I fold through GH before unfolding BD, so GH and HJ are folded at once. It's just like how you can fold just twice to generate three parallel lines dividing a sheet into four. Oct 7 '20 at 9:19

The golden ratio has been described as something popping up all over nature, science and arts, so we shouldn't be too surprised at bumping into it here.

Our strategy is based on the following configuration (first picture top). We want to make rotationally symmetric folds from each corner (green lines). Those will delineate a smaller square in the center, so all we need to do is adjusting the angle of the green lines such that the area of the center square becomes $$1/3$$
This will happen precisely when the area $$h^2$$ of the center square doubles the area of the yellow triangle (first picture bottom). Define $$\phi$$ as the ratio $$\frac {\overline{FG}}{\overline{GB}}$$. The area of $$AFB$$ is $$\frac{h^2(1+1/\phi)}{2 \phi}$$ because it has perpendicular sides $$\overline{FB} = h + h/\phi$$ and $$\overline{FA} = h/\phi$$ ($$\overline{FA} = \overline{GB}$$ by symmetry). Solving for $$\phi$$ that we get $$\phi^2=1+\phi$$ confirming that $$\phi$$ is indeed the golden ratio. By the intercept theorem the intersection points $$M_{AB}$$ etc. divide the sides also by $$\phi$$.

Implementation in terms of actual folding. With the benefit of hindsight I notice that this is very similar to textbook construction of golden ratio:

Fold the square $$ABCD$$ in the middle horizontally or vertically. WLOG let $$BC$$ and $$DA$$ be the sides cut in half. Fold from corner $$A$$ to the midpoint $$M$$ of nonadjacent side $$BC$$. Mark the crease $$MA$$ half a unit from $$M$$. (By folding either $$BM$$ or $$CM$$ onto $$MA$$.) Call this point $$Y$$. The distance $$AY$$ is $$\frac{\sqrt 5 - 1} 2$$. Transfer this distance to the $$AB$$ side (measuring from $$A$$). Call this point $$M_{AB}$$ Fold $$M_{AB}C$$. Using the edge this creates we can directly fold the perpendicular sides and afterwards also the fourth.

Pictures

Alternative proof that $$h^2 = 1/3$$. I'll leave it here since there are actually people who prefer this kind of technical approach over more "wordy" ones.

We need to show the distance $$h$$ between opposite creases is $$\sqrt{\frac 1 3}$$. Let $$F$$ be the nearest point to $$M_{AB}$$ on $$M_{CD}A$$. Then triangles $$M_{AB}BC$$ and $$AFM_{AB}$$ are similar. Write $$x=\overline{M_{AB}B}$$ then $$\frac {1-x}{h} = \sqrt{1+x^2}$$ by similarity. Setting $$h=\sqrt{\frac 1 3}$$ and solving for $$x$$ yields
$$\frac {1}{3} = \frac{1+x^2-2x}{1+x^2}$$
$$0 = 2 + 2x^2 - 6x$$
$$(x-\frac 3 2)^2 = \frac 5 4$$
with solutions
$$x = \frac {3 \pm \sqrt{5}}{2}$$
of which only
$$x = \frac {3 - \sqrt{5}}{2}$$ is within size of the given square. What we have constructed and used above is $$1-x = \frac {\sqrt{5} - 1}{2}$$

It isn't too hard if we analyze it mathematically.

Observe that

Assume that the original square has side length 1 and area 1. Then the target square has area $$1/3$$, and therefore side length $$1/\sqrt3 = \sqrt3/3$$.

Based on this, we plan the strategy as follows:

First construct the length $$\sqrt3/2$$ using the equilateral triangle, and then construct $$2/3$$ of that.

First part:

Fold the paper vertically in half, so that $$B$$ overlaps with $$A$$ and $$D$$ overlaps with $$C$$:

A-------B      A---E---B
|       |      |   |   |
|       |      |   |   |
|       |  =>  |   |   |
|       |      |   |   |
|       |      |   |   |
C-------D      C---F---D

Then fold along a line passing through $$F$$ so that $$E$$ overlaps with the line $$AC$$. Let's call the new point $$G$$:

A---E
|   |
G   |
|\  |
| \ |
|  \|
C---F

Then $$CF=1/2$$ and $$FG=1$$, so $$CG=\sqrt3/2$$.

Second part:

Ignore all the folds in the first part except the point $$G$$.

A-------B
|       |
G       |
|       |
|       |
|       |
C-------D

Fold horizontally through $$G$$ (it can be done by folding through $$G$$ while putting $$A$$ on the line $$GC$$), and ignore the part above $$G$$. Now fold horizontally three times so that $$GC$$ is evenly divided into four segments:

G-------+
|       |
J-------J'
|       |
H-------H'
|       |
K-------K'
|       |
C-------D

Then fold a line passing through $$C$$, so that $$G$$ overlaps with $$JJ'$$. Mark the intersection of line $$G'C$$ with $$HH'$$, and unfold it back. We just got a trisection of the line segment $$GC$$; the line segment $$CX$$ has exactly $$2/3$$ length of $$GC$$, and therefore length $$1/\sqrt3$$.

G--------+       G--...
|        |       |
J-----G'-J'      |
|    /   |       X
H---X----H'  =>  |
|  /     |       |
K-/------K'      |
|/       |       |
C--------D       C--...

So we've just got one side of the target square. Finally,

Fold through the diagonal $$BC$$ so that $$X$$ overlaps with $$CD$$. Mark the overlapping point of $$X$$ as $$Y$$. Then fold horizontally through $$X$$ and vertically through $$Y$$. Then we get the wanted square on the lower left corner of the original sheet of paper.

A-----+-B
|     | |
X-----+-+
|     | |
|     | |
|     | |
C-----Y-D

• "It isn't too hard if we analyze it mathematically." True, and you used a few less folds than I did. However 1/5th was already called hard, and I do not see an easy to 'prove' to non-mathematicians solution. Oct 2 '20 at 13:09
• Nicely done. the one thing I dislike is the disregard for "folding mechanics". Marking a "point" (G, X) isn't really achieved just by folding something onto it, you would have to either use a finger or pen to mark that point - or an additional fold, adding to the total number of folds. Also, I think it' only 2times folding in part 2 to get the four segments, not three... Oct 5 '20 at 8:28
• @BmyGuest I didn't count folds in this answer so I guess it doesn't matter as long as the marking can be performed in terms of folding. And yeah, I didn't realize the four segments part can be done in two folds when I wrote it. Oct 5 '20 at 8:33

I found an i.m.o. more elegant answer myself. And I gave up hope that with the good answers already submitted someone else will post something similar. Thus my answer:

Observation 1:
We can enclose a smaller square of any size in a square using 4 identical triangles like TAB in the first two drawings.
Observation 2:
We can draw a line from the top T of such a triangle to its base using the same angles, since the top has an angle of 90 degrees. When that line crosses the line AB (at point X) we can conclude that TX = XB and TX = XA because of the identical angles alpha and beta respectively.
Since XA+XB is 1: TX is 1/2 for any such smaller square, and X is the midpoint of a side.
Observation 3:
The volumes of the 4 triangles must be 2/3 if the volume of inner square is to be 1/3. That means each individual triangle has volume 1/6, and thus that the distance between the top and the base is 1/3.

Construction step 1:
Like in the third drawing, one can get the required 1/2, 1/3 and 2/3 lines as follows: Fold all for the 1/2 line, then fold half for the 3/4 line, then fold from 3/4th of a side to the opposing corner. This line will cross the half line at 1/3. Use that now marked point to fold the 1/3 and 2/3 line.
Construction step 2:
Fold a line from the midpoint X such that A is on the 1/3 line, like drawing 4. >!Now A covers T exactly. Do the same thing at the opposing corner.
Construction step 3:
Turn the paper a quarter and repeat step 1 and 2. All the corners of the paper are folded onto the corners of the 1/3-volume smaller square. (as in the last drawing)
Construction step 4:
Fold the lines AB,BC,CD and DA (of the last drawing) to the the asked for 1/3 volume square.

• I thought, by you mentioning the 1/5 problem, you wanted a solution where you can prove the 1/3-ness by dividing the paper into multiple areas and reassembling into three same-sized squares. I do have such a solution right now, though it doesn't place the square at the center. If you're interested, I'll post it when I get to my PC. Oct 4 '20 at 16:04
• Seems that adds something to the existing answers, so please post. Oct 4 '20 at 16:07
• I'd say this is up to a minor detail the same as my construction. Which is more elegant is very much a matter of taste. Number of auxiliary folds is the same. Btw. the thing you do with the right angled triangle is called Thales's Theorem. Oct 4 '20 at 17:11
• @PaulPanzer My solution needs more folds than yours, so in that sense yours is better. I think my solution is easier to understand, but if one understands Thales's theorem one probably understands your use of the golden ratio, so I might be wrong. I also like about my solution that it is easy to to generalize to any 1/Nth part of total, although that may also be true for yours.. Oct 4 '20 at 18:10
• Generalization is a good point. Mine does generalize in principle but not as straight forward as yours. Re number of folds I count $9$ ($5$ auxiliary $4$ money folds) in both cases. Oct 4 '20 at 18:22

[

Let's construct an equilateral triangle $$ABC$$ where $$AB=4$$ and let's draw the three midlines $$BD, CE, AF$$ and the segment $$DC=2$$. From point $$C$$ draw perpendicular line $$CK=DC$$. From point $$D$$ let's obtain a segment $$DL=DC$$ and draw the line $$LK$$. The quadrilateral $$DCKL$$ is square by construction. From point $$D$$ let's take a segment $$DH=OD$$ and from point $$H$$ draw a perpendicular and obtain on that line a segment $$HM=OD$$ and draw the straight line $$OM$$. The quadrilateral $$ODHM$$ is a square. Extend the line $$HM$$ until it cuts the line $$LK$$ at point $$G$$. From the point of intersection $$O$$ of the three midlines, the distance to the vertices of the triangle $$ABC$$ is two-thirds of $$BD$$. $$(BD)^2=4^2-2^2=12$$ and $$BD=2√ 3$$. So $$OD=(2√ 3)/3$$, but $$(2√ 3)/3=2/√ 3$$. So the area of the square $$ODHM=(2/√ 3)^2=4/3$$. This result tells us that the area of the square $$ODHM$$ is equal to one-third of the area of the square $$DCKL$$. Let's fold the rectangle $$GHCK$$ under the rectangle $$LDHG$$. After that let's fold the rectangle $$LOMG$$ under the square $$ODHM$$. With two folds we were able to achieve what the question was asking.

• Interesting approach, but you seem to violate the "all you can do is fold the paper." and that the "square piece of paper" is the big square, considering that you start with a triangle and it is outside DCKL Oct 4 '20 at 17:43
• What I am doing is fold the big square with area equal to 4 into a square with area 4/3. The rest is an explanation..I could have drawn a square with side equal to 2 and drawn inside that a square with side 2/√3 and made the two folds. If you prefer that, it is very for me easy to do the drawing. Oct 4 '20 at 18:30
• Maybe you should. I at least do not understand how you determine the point O if the only paper you have is (unmarked) DCKL. But maybe I am missing something.. Oct 4 '20 at 18:40
• Point O is where the three midlines intersect. Inside the square DCKL you have to draw a square with side 2/√3 and do the two foldings. Oct 4 '20 at 18:47
• @Retudin.I added a drawing to my answer. Oct 4 '20 at 19:02