Yin Yang
Can you reproduce the Yin Yang symbol using a pair of compasses?
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
Problem
Using just a pair of compasses, a ruler and a pencil, recreate this Yin Yang symbol:
Image
(You might like to use a black crayon or felt-tipped pen too!)
How would you explain to someone else what to do?
Getting Started
The image is made using only one kind of shape, just in different sizes.
You might find that you need to draw full outlines of some shapes which you then rub out parts of afterwards.
You might find that you need to draw full outlines of some shapes which you then rub out parts of afterwards.
Student Solutions
Many thanks to Alistair of Histon Junior School, who sent in this solution:
Set compass to 3 cm.
Mark a point in pencil and draw a circle around that
point with the compass.
Draw a vertical line with a ruler through the middle of the circle.
Measure and mark each 1.5 cm along it.
Set compass to 1.5 cm.
Draw semicircle to the left around the lowest 1.5cm
mark.
Draw another semicircle to the right around the topmost 1.5cm mark.
Set compass to a very small size, and draw circles around both 1.5cm
marks.
Rub out vertical line and centre marks.
Teachers' Resources
Yin Yang
Using just a pair of compasses, a ruler and a pencil, recreate this Yin Yang symbol:
Image
(You might like to use a black crayon or felt-tipped pen too!)
How would you explain to someone else what to do?