Box Full of Mathematics

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to describe the mathematics that emanates from the construction of an origami box. The design of this box was inspired by the design of a traditional origami masu box. We first construct a simple origami box from a rectangular sheet and then discuss some of the mathematical questions that arise in the context of geometry and algebra. The activity can be used as a context for illustrating how algebra and geometry, like other branches of mathematics, are interrelated.