What is a tangram?
A tangram is a classic Chinese puzzle that consists of a square divided into 7 flat pieces, called tans, which are to be rearranged into various shapes. The pieces are of different shapes and sizes --- five right triangles (two small, one medium-sized, and two large), one square, and one parallelogram/rhomboid. The objective of the game is to make a specific shape using all the seven pieces, as they are (no trimming them to fit), by laying them flat so that they touch one another but with no overlapping. The tans may be rotated or flipped as necessary to obtain the desired figure. In this manner, they can be rotated or flipped as necessary to obtain the desired figure. In this manner, they can be arranged to form hundreds of silhouette patterns, ranging from animals and people to everyday objects, letters and numbers.
Little is known about the early history of the tangram, apart from the fact that it originated in China several centuries ago. Apparently, the ancient Chinese regarded the tangram as a game meant for women and children, too trivial to be worthy of serious study. Hence there are hardly any records of its origin and evolution. In the 19th century it was introduced to the West, where it rapidly became very popular. Famous tangram fans include Napoleon Bonaparte, Edgar Allen Poe and Lewis Carroll.
One of the classic puzzles that appeals to young and old alike, the tangram attracts people on various levels. While maths buffs are hooked on the geometry and the ratios of the pieces, artists are fascinated by their form and visual appeal. Tangrams are used as a teaching tool in school maths classes.
