The Puzzler: Mona Lisa Mischief

The mischievous criminal known as Dr. Phi has struck again! Last night at midnight, the geometry-obsessed prankster was seen breaking into the Louvre Museum in Paris, France and stealing Leonardo da Vinci's famous Mona Lisa painting. Based on the evidence, police authorities are worried that Dr. Phi has sliced up the priceless work into odd-shaped bits and pieces. It is up to you, students of the world, to unravel the mystery. Dr. Phi left behind a ransom note and the strange image seen below. The note reads:

"Tell me the name of the rectangles shown
 And unharmed I'll return it—we'll just call it a loan!
              BWAH HA HA HA!!! - Dr. Phi."

QUESTION: What is Dr. Phi talking about? Fill in the blank below:

This image shows many examples of a _______________ rectangle.

(HINT 1: The Ancient Greeks liked to use this type of rectangle in their architecture.)

(HINT 2: Yes these images do resemble our fictitious Squaroos. Remind yourself about that on our blog, here and here.)


------------------------------------------------


LAST ISSUE'S PUZZLER with ANSWER

Pine Cone

Here is the pattern from an actual pine cone. Get out 3 or 4 different colored pencils or markers and color in the sections using alternating colors to make a spiral pattern. When you are done, the pattern should look like curving spokes of a wheel, radiating out from the center. 

QUESTION: Which direction does the spiral go on this pine cone: clockwise or counter-clockwise?

BONUS: What is the least number of colors you need to reveal the spiral pattern?

ANSWER: OK, you guessed it! This was a trick question. The pattern on the pine cone spirals in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions! 




BONUS ANSWER: The least number of colors needed to reveal the spiral patterns are: 3 colors for clockwise (seen here as yellow, red and pink) and 2 colors for counter-clockwise (seen here as blue and green).