No rabbits, no handkerchief. Madhavan, hails Stanford University professor, who pulls off magic trick using maths, paper clips, paper and rubber bands

Actor R. Madhavan recently shared an intriguing mathematical demonstration on his Instagram Stories, drawing attention to the fascinating world of everyday science. The video featured renowned Japanese mathematician Tadashi Tokieda presenting one of his signature experiments during the International Congress of Mathematicians. Rather than relying on complicated formulas or advanced calculations, Tokieda used simple household items to reveal how mathematics can emerge from ordinary situations.

His demonstration highlighted that remarkable discoveries often begin with curiosity, close observation, and the willingness to examine familiar objects from a fresh perspective. The experiment serves as a reminder that scientific thinking is not confined to laboratories but can be sparked by everyday materials, inspiring students, researchers, educators, and anyone with an inquisitive mind.

During the presentation, Tokieda invited viewers to focus on a plain strip of paper. He first folded the paper into a distinctive zigzag pattern resembling the letter "Z" and secured parts of the fold using two paper clips. He then asked the audience to predict what would happen when the two ends of the folded strip were pulled apart until the paper became completely stretched. At first glance, it appeared that the clips would simply separate or fall away. Instead, the audience witnessed an unexpected outcome.

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As the paper straightened, the clips moved rapidly toward each other, collided, and became interlocked. To make the experiment even more surprising, Tokieda introduced a rubber band into the arrangement. When the paper was pulled again, the strip tore as expected, but the rubber band also snapped and remained hanging from the paper, creating an effect that seemed almost magical despite being entirely based on mathematical principles.

The demonstration is widely regarded as an elegant illustration of topology, a branch of mathematics that studies how shapes and objects behave when they are stretched, bent, or rearranged without cutting or gluing them. Tokieda's experiment shows that the final result depends entirely on the initial arrangement of the paper, clips, and rubber band rather than on tricks or hidden mechanisms.

The interaction between the objects follows predictable geometric relationships, making the experiment a vivid example of what Tokieda describes as performing calculations without numbers. By transforming common stationery into a lesson on geometry and topology, he demonstrates that mathematics is not just about equations but also about patterns, structure, and understanding how objects interact in the physical world.

Who Is Tadashi Tokieda?

Tadashi Tokieda is an esteemed mathematician, working in the fields of mathematics and physics. Tokieda is a professor of mathematics at Stanford University. Before joining Stanford, he served as a fellow and Director of studies in mathematics at Trinity Hall, Cambridge.

Beyond his academic work, Tokieda is widely recognized for designing, collecting, and researching educational toys and simple mechanical objects that uncover unexpected mathematical and physical principles. Through these innovative creations, he demonstrates how everyday materials can reveal surprising concepts in geometry, topology, mechanics, and physics, making complex scientific ideas both engaging and accessible.