2021 Joint Mathematics Meetings
Sharol Nau
Artists
Statement
I've been an artist since the 1970's. In recent years I've based some of my artwork on simple math problems. My artistic practice involves taking a simple mathematical idea and enhancing its visual interest through technique, color and texture.
Artworks
How Many Triangles Do You See, Base Four
25 x 25 cm
Paper collage
2020
Let T(n) be the number of similar triangles formed when an isosceles triangle of base length n is subdivided into similar triangles of base length 1. For the case n = 4, in addition to the original base-4 triangle there are 13 base-1 triangles as well as three of base-3 and seven of base-2 for a total of T(4) = 27. For n = 5, T(5) = 48. In general T(n) = ?