Can paper be folded in half ten times?

[Jeimuzu]

Yes, it can.

You didn't specify size.

 

[SantaCBear]

Yes... In theory it can be folded ∞

 

[Tigryto]

Yep?

http://pomonahistorical.org/12times.htm

 

[Jeimuzu]

Yes... In theory it can be folded ∞

Not true. You can't fold a particle in half

 

[SantaCBear]

In the quantum world you can (i think)

 

[Corny]

Yes, it can.

You didn't specify size.

size doesn't matter. not even here try it with a letter .. try it with a big newspaper or a poster. it's the same result.

 

[SantaCBear]

Yep?

http://pomonahistorical.org/12times.htm

That was cool... Thanks

 

[gsdx]

In the quantum world you can (i think)

The Tollan proved that quantum physics didn't work. Sam was understandably surprised to learn that.

 

[micah-much]

Mythbusters were able to

he MythBusters then laid out a football field-sized sheet of interconnected paper (170 ft x 220 ft, 51.8 m x 67.1 m), and due to the reduction of its area-to-thickness ratio (and with help from a steam roller and a forklift), were able to perpendicularly fold the paper 11 times.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MythBusters_(season_5)

 

[Croynan]

Yep?

http://pomonahistorical.org/12times.htm

what a fascinating website. thank you for posting it.​

​

now my problem is i wish i understood what they are talking about with all that high level math.​

eM.​

 

[Sofa-King]

Mythbusters were able to



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MythBusters_(season_5)

you beat me to it ...

 

[Shepherd 2]

I heard on a kid show, you can't.

Oh well.

Piggy we love you.
You keep watching those kid shows,
then tune in here, and we will give you
the adult show.
Paper folding 101 and
Advanced Paper Folding 666
and Pornographic folding 769
Shep+

 

[Críostóir]

Not if it's actually paper. Two to the tenth power (1024) times the thickness of the paper is pretty thick. Each fold doubles the thickness and halves the length.

So by the time you get to the tenth fold, it's 1024 times as thick and 1/1024th as long. Both things make it harder to fold. Something thin enough to be foldable when the thickness is multiplied by 1024 probably can't be reasonably called "paper."

Metal is a different story, because you can fold it, then beat it to its original thickness. You can do this as many times as you want. This is part of the process of making a traditional katana, IIRC.

 

[Columboy]

Try it out for yourself and see.

I guess I was wrong

 

[Johnny Yen]

Paper can only be folded in 1/2 once.

 

[Paws]

I once read you can only fold it 7 times. I was lied to ;_;

 

[rareboy]

Yes, it can.

You didn't specify size.

Nope, size doesn't matter. Nor does the thickness of the paper.

 

[rareboy]

Mythbusters were able to

I think the steam roller was a bit of a cheat but I bow to originality and commitment.

 

[Críostóir]

Does using a steamroller count as "you" folding?

Does "mashed into oblivion" count as "folded"?

Seriously, does 'folded' entail the ability to be UNfolded? I think it does.

 

[provenlogic]

size doesn't matter. not even here try it with a letter .. try it with a big newspaper or a poster. it's the same result.

Not true at all, the ability to fold it, in fact, ALL comes down to it's area to thickness ratio. The larger the piece of paper, relative to it's thickness, the easier it is to fold.

And yes, the mythbusters did do it, proving this point quite eloquently actually. The steamroller and fork lift weren't cheats, they were utilized because of the sheer size and weight of the paper (in a single small piece) once it was folded so many times. It was impossible to lift and fold otherwise, and after all, the question was, "Can it be done?" Yes it can.

The idea that it can't comes from that fact that you can't fold a standard piece of 8.5x11 printing paper in half more than 7 times. Which is quite true. But the idea that no paper can be folded in half more than 7 times (or 10) isn't true.