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Laying Out a Five-Point Star

without Math

I

’VE READ SEVERAL METHODSfor laying out pentagons or five-
pointed stars based on algebra or trigonometry. By contrast, my
method requires neither calculator, compass, protractor, formulas, nor
hard-to-remember constructions. Take a strip of paper as wide as the
distance between star points, and carefully tie a simple overhand knot.
Thin but strong paper works best. Resist the temptation to flatten and
crease the paper until you have removed all the slack. When the strip
knot is tight and flattened, you have created a perfect pentagon pat-
tern, as shown in the sketch below.You can scale the pattern up or
down to whatever size pentagon you need, or connect the intersec-
tions of your paper knot to draw a star.
—RALPHKOEBKE,Fremont, Ind.

MEASURING, MARKING & LAYOUT

Tie paper strip

in overhand knot.

Intersections establish

points of star.