Can anyone solve this problem?

[stinkynuts]

Why is it impossible to cut out a triangle from a piece of paper?

It is technically impossible to do so. Can anyone provide the logical answer why?

 

[Shallow Throat]

Sure you can. fold it in half then cut across then down back to the same edge (like making a "7") unfold the paper and there's a triangle in the middle

 

[stinkynuts]

No, what I mean is this:

Suppose you had a triangle drawn on a piece of paper. You get a pair of scissors and start cutting it out. You tell your friend that you have cut the triangle out, and now the triangle is in your hand. Why is this incorrect?

 

[blackdog]

Stinkynuts... Go wash your balls.

 

[Jade4u]

Me thinks the fumes is getting to him.

 

[newguy27]

I think you might have misunderstood the proposition because there does not seem to be any impossibility in cutting out a simple triangle from a piece of paper. Geez, an exacto knife will do the trick even easier.

 

[ig-88]

Without highly precise equipment, it would be impossible to create an isosceles or equilateral triangle.

 

[seth gecko]

actually, in Stinky's example, you will end up with two (2) triangles; the one in your hand that was cut out of the piece of paper, and the outline of the triangle that is still within the piece of paper. It's like there's a "positive" triangle extracted from the paper, and a "negative" triangle outline left in the paper......just don't let the two oppositely-charged triangles mix, as disastrous things can happen, like mixing matter & anti-matter, or pasta & antipasta

 

[tboy]

Without highly precise equipment, it would be impossible to create an isosceles or equilateral triangle.

Depends on what degree of accuracy you spec. I could probably cut one with an accuracy of +/- .001 deg. (or the thickness of the line of my inkjet printer).

 

[1HandInMyPocket]

It's like there's a "positive" triangle extracted from the paper, and a "negative" triangle outline left in the paper......

unless you cut the triangle from the corner, you're then left with a triangle and 5-sided polygon.

 

[A.J. Raven]

Could it be because an triangle is not 3 dimensional, but a piece of paper is. So once you cut out a "triangle" that was drawn on the piece of paper, it becomes... a pyramid? Or is there another name for a 3 dinensional triangular-shaped object? It's been a long time since geometry class. The piece of paper may be very thin, but it still has depth. Of course... wouldn't this also apply to all other shapes as well? The circle becomes a cyclinder, the square becomes a cube or whatever... again.... my geometry files are locked away somewhere dusty in my brain.

 

[stinkynuts]

Could it be because an triangle is not 3 dimensional, but a piece of paper is. So once you cut out a "triangle" that was drawn on the piece of paper, it becomes... a pyramid? Or is there another name for a 3 dinensional triangular-shaped object? It's been a long time since geometry class. The piece of paper may be very thin, but it still has depth. Of course... wouldn't this also apply to all other shapes as well? The circle becomes a cyclinder, the square becomes a cube or whatever... again.... my geometry files are locked away somewhere dusty in my brain.

BINGO!

Yes, a triangle is only a 2-dimensional figure, it cannot have depth or thickness. The paper, although very thin, has thickness, and therefore the shape becomes 3-dimensional once you cut it out. The proper term is triangular prism.

 

[trisket]

Do not explain this puzzle when on your first date.

 

[1HandInMyPocket]

BINGO!

Yes, a triangle is only a 2-dimensional figure, it cannot have depth or thickness. The paper, although very thin, has thickness, and therefore the shape becomes 3-dimensional once you cut it out. The proper term is triangular prism.

I actually thought of this but then realized that when you draw a triangle that also has a minute height as well and therefore if you can not cut a triangle you also could not draw one that existed.

 

[papasmerf]

Why is it impossible to cut out a triangle from a piece of paper?

It is technically impossible to do so. Can anyone provide the logical answer why?

You need to wash them nuts and get laid.

 

[hairyfucker]

so smarty. you have cut a prism from the paper and now have that in your hand. what shape or object did you actually cut INTO the paper?