The Helix Puzzle — A Simple Geometric Challenge
This puzzle tests your basic geometric reasoning skills!
The helix puzzle is a fun and simple geometric challenge that tests your geometric reasoning skills. To be precise, this puzzle features a circular helix.
Since helixes are not an everyday discussion topic, I’ll start the essay by giving a brief introduction to the topic. Following this, we will cover an interesting property of helixes and then jump straight into the puzzle. So, stay sharp; let’s begin.
What is a Helix?
Before we answer that question, let us first establish the concept of self-congruent curves. Let us say that there exist two circular arcs that feature the same curvature. In this case, we could take one of those arcs and slide it along the other arc, and the two will fit snugly. This property of curves (and lines) is known as self-congruent curves.
When we extend this concept to 3 dimensions, we end up with applications such as curved sheaths for curved walking sticks, curved scabbards for curved swords, etc. Along these lines, another 3-dimensional application of self-congruent curves is the helix.
Imagine a cylinder with vertical lines drawn on its surface parallel to its axis. A circular helix is a curve that…
