Solve the Infamous Puzzle: One Continuous Line Challenge | Step-by-Step Guide

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the One Continuous Line Challenge, a puzzle requiring the drawing of a continuous line through every segment without crossing itself. Participants conclude that it is impossible to solve this puzzle on a plane due to graph theory principles, specifically referencing the Euler characteristic. The Mobius strip is suggested as a potential solution, as it alters the topological properties of the drawing surface. The definitive proof of impossibility is found in post #5 by NateTG, which emphasizes the conditions under which the puzzle cannot be solved.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of graph theory principles
  • Familiarity with Euler characteristics
  • Knowledge of topological surfaces, including Mobius strips and projective planes
  • Basic skills in geometric drawing techniques
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the Euler characteristic and its implications in topology
  • Explore the properties of Mobius strips and their applications in puzzles
  • Study graph theory proofs related to continuous line challenges
  • Investigate the characteristics of Klein bottles and their relevance to dimensionality
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Mathematicians, puzzle enthusiasts, educators in geometry and topology, and anyone interested in the intersection of graph theory and visual problem-solving.

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Hi everyone. I've been stumped trying to figure this one out for the past week, I think some may have seen it before. It looks like this:

*EDIT* The picture I attempted to draw didn't post right, I'll have one up soon.

*EDIT 2* Here we go:
http://members.lycos.co.uk/evilx22/hpbimg/Untitled-1%20copy.jpg

What you have to do is draw one continuous line through every line segment on the puzzle, without going through one twice and the line can never cross itself. I'm hoping some have seen this before, so any help would be appreciated.
 
Last edited:
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Its impossible... you can prove it with graph theory.

This was posted previously and there was a link to a site that had a general proof that it can't be done under certain conditions and this puzzle fit the conditions...
 
You could draw this on a Mobius strip.
That would fix the problem.
 
There's an infuriatingly long thread dedicated to this problem here

The short answer is that it is impossible to do this, if the picture is drawn on a plane, unless you cheat by going through a corner or using a giant marker, or some such thing. The proof is found in post #5 (by NateTG) in the above linked thread.
 
Gokul43201 said:
if the picture is drawn on a plane.
Isn't the Mobius surface considered to be a plane?
A toroid or sphere, two solutions in the thread you referred to, would not be.
 
NoTime said:
Isn't the Mobius surface considered to be a plane?

No, a mobius strip is not homeomorhic to a (projective) plane.

(Additional Info : the mobius strip has an Euler Characteristic = 0, while this is 1 for a plane)
 
Gokul43201 said:
No, a mobius strip is not homeomorhic to a (projective) plane.

(Additional Info : the mobius strip has an Euler Characteristic = 0, while this is 1 for a plane)
Interesting.
So it would be related to a cylinder somehow?
Does this remain true if the dimensionality changes?
I vaguely recall something special about this as well as klein bottle for N other than 3.
 

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