K. Chun

Effect: Teacher shows three separate pieces of rope each of a different size (fig. 1). There is a short piece, a medium size piece, and a long piece. The teacher folds the three pieces and when the ropes are opened out again, all three pieces are seen to be of the same size. Modification: Have students measure and cut the ropes and do an activity on estimation of lengths.

Performance:

Hold the three ropes in your left hand as illustrated in figure 1. The shortest(1) rope is to the left towards the joint of the thumb, then the medium size rope(2) and finally the long rope(3).

Grip the hanging end of the shortest rope (AD) in figure 2 with your right hand and bring it to the top placing it to the right of the three ends forming order (ABCD).

Take the hanging end of the middle sized rope (BE) and place it to the right of the four ends in your hand (ABCDE). Finally take the hanging end of the longest rope (CF) and place it to the extreme right. The position at this stage is in figure 3 (ABCDEF).

Your extended fingers cover the fold of the shortest rope from the students' view. Separate the three ends to your right and pull out ropes (CEF) as in figure 4. Let them hang down. All three ropes appear to be of the same size. Take the hanging ends and regroup as in figure 3. Pull ropes in order: AD, BE, and CF to show original lengths.