Original Illustration

from Kanyia Otogi Zoshi

Kanjya Otogi Zoshi

The problems in this collection appeared in Nakane Genjun's book 

Kanyia Otogi Zoshi (the Collection of Interesting Things in Mathematics) published in Japan in 1743. The text included 69 problems of recreational mathematics.

Source: Sacred mathematics: Japanese Temple Geometry by Fukagawa Hidetoshi and Tony Rothman (2008).

Original Illustration

from Kanyia Otogi Zoshi

A Rectangle of 2

Take a rectangular piece of paper composed of two unit squares. Fold it or cut it to create a square of side length      . 

A Rectangle of 3

Take a rectangular piece of paper composed of three unit squares. Fold it or cut it to create a square of side length      . 

First Rectangle of 5

Take a rectangular piece of paper composed of five unit squares. Fold it or cut it to create a square of side length      . 

Second Rectangle of 5

Take a rectangular piece of paper composed of five unit squares. Fold it or cut it to create a square of side length      . 

Third Rectangle of 5

Take a rectangular piece of paper composed of five unit squares. Fold it or cut it to create a square of side length      .