Zed to Zee

On a blue and orange surface sits a flat green and white word puzzle, set in a blue frame.
A blue and red exhibit table, with a green, white and orange information panel on top, sits in front of a green and a blue wall.

Movement of tiles in a puzzle represent processes of translation and rotation.

How it works

Slide puzzle pieces around to swap the 'Zed' and 'Zee' tiles.

Things to try or ask around the exhibit

  • Can you slide the tiles around and swap the Zed with the Zee?
  • How would you describe the way tiles move around each other?

Background

This puzzle requires you to alternate between moving the tiles in anticlockwise and clockwise directions. When all parts move the same distance in the same direction, this is called translation. When all parts turn around a point, this is called rotation.

Finding the science in your world

The concepts of translation and rotation are used in engineering and computer programs.

On Display