How to Make a Tetrahedral Pyramid
A tetrahedral pyramid is a four-sided pyramid. It is one of the most recognizable types of pyramids: the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt and the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon in Mexico City are all tetrahedral pyramids. Many puzzles through the years exploit the properties of pyramids, such as those found in "The Colossal Book of Mathematics: Classic Puzzles, Paradoxes, and Problems" by Martin Gardner. In Gardner's book, you can learn how to build pyramids with golf balls, oranges and even cannon balls.
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Things You'll Need
- Eight newspapers
- Scotch tape
- Hot glue gun
- Glue sticks
- 30 table tennis balls (see tips)
Instructions
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Making a Pyramid from Rolled Newspapers
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1
Roll up each newspaper to form a tight roll. This should resemble a telescope, so don't make it too thick. Tape the ends of the roll together to stop it from unraveling.
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2
Place four newspaper rolls flat on the floor in the shape of a square. Tape the corners together.
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3
Place one newspaper roll upended in one corner. Tape the end of the roll to the corner.
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4
Repeat Step 3 for the remaining three newspapers, taping one newspaper roll to each corner.
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5
Tape the top four corners of the newspaper together.
Making a Pyramid from Table Tennis Balls
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6
Place 16 table tennis balls on a flat surface in the shape of a square. Each side will have four balls. There will be four balls in the center.
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7
Glue the balls together with a hot glue gun.
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8
Make a second layer for the pyramid using nine balls. Start in the center of your 4-by-4 square and move out, gluing one ball into the spaces where four balls meet.
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9
Repeat Step 3 for a third layer, using four balls.
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10
Place one ball on top and glue in place.
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1
Tips & Warnings
You can use any round object to build a pyramid. Grocery stores often use oranges to build attractive pyramidal displays. If you want to glue your pyramid together, choose an object that will bind, like plastic cat balls or florist's balls.
