Hinton - The Fourth Dimension.pdf

Hinton - The Fourth Dimension.pdf Hinton - The Fourth Dimension.pdf

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246 THE FOURTH DIMENSION and finally underneath this last the bottom layer of the last of our normal blocks. Similarly we make the second representative group by taking the middle courses of our three blocks. The last is made by taking the three topmost layers. The three axes in our space before the transverse motion begins are blue, white, yellow, so we have light green tesseract faces, and after the motion begins sections transverse to the red light. These three blocks represent the appearances as the tesseract group in its new position passes across our space. The cubes of contact in this case are those determined by the three axes in our space, namely, the white, the yellow, the blue. Hence they are light green. It follows from this that light green is the interior cube of the first block of representative cubic faces. Practice in the manipulations described, with a realisation in each case of the face or section which is in our space, is one of the best means of a thorough comprehension of the subject. We have to learn how to get any part of these fourdimensional figures into space, so that we can look at them. We must first learn to swing a tesseract, and a group of tesseracts about in any way. When these operations have been repeated and the method of arrangement of the set of blocks has become familiar, it is a good plan to rotate the axes of the normal cube 1 about a diagonal, and then repeat the whole series of turnings. Thus, in the normal position, red goes up, white to the right, yellow away. Make white go up, yellow to the right, and red away. Learn the cube in this position by putting up the set of blocks of the normal cube, over and over again till it becomes as familiar to you as in the normal position. Then when this is learned, and the corre-

APPENDIX I: THE MODELS 247 sponding changes to the arrangements of the tesseract groups are made, another change should be made: let, in the normal cube, yellow go up, red to the right, and white away. Learn the normal block of cubes in this new position by arranging them and re-arranging them till you know without thought where each one goes. Then carry out all the tesseract arrangements and turnings. If you want to understand the subject, but do not see your way clearly, if it does not seem natural and easy to you, practise these turnings. Practise, first of all, the turning of a block of cubes round, so that you know it in every position as well as in the normal one. Practice by gradually putting up the set of cubes in their new arrangements. Then put up the tesseract blocks in their arrangements. This will give you a working conception of higher space, you will gain the feeling of it, whether you take up the mathematical treatment of it or not.

246<br />

THE FOURTH DIMENSION<br />

and finally underneath this last the bottom layer of the<br />

last of our normal blocks.<br />

Similarly we make the second representative group by<br />

taking the middle courses of our three blocks. <strong>The</strong> last<br />

is made by taking the three topmost layers. <strong>The</strong> three<br />

axes in our space before the transverse motion begins<br />

are blue, white, yellow, so we have light green tesseract<br />

faces, and after the motion begins sections transverse to<br />

the red light.<br />

<strong>The</strong>se three blocks represent the appearances as the<br />

tesseract group in its new position passes across our space.<br />

<strong>The</strong> cubes of contact in this case are those determined by<br />

the three axes in our space, namely, the white, the<br />

yellow, the blue. Hence they are light green.<br />

It follows from this that light green is the interior<br />

cube of the first block of representative cubic faces.<br />

Practice in the manipulations described, with a<br />

realisation in each case of the face or section which<br />

is in our space, is one of the best means of a thorough<br />

comprehension of the subject.<br />

We have to learn how to get any part of these fourdimensional<br />

figures into space, so that we can look at<br />

them. We must first learn to swing a tesseract, and a<br />

group of tesseracts about in any way.<br />

When these operations have been repeated and the<br />

method of arrangement of the set of blocks has become<br />

familiar, it is a good plan to rotate the axes of the normal<br />

cube 1 about a diagonal, and then repeat the whole series<br />

of turnings.<br />

Thus, in the normal position, red goes up, white to the<br />

right, yellow away. Make white go up, yellow to the right,<br />

and red away. Learn the cube in this position by putting<br />

up the set of blocks of the normal cube, over and over<br />

again till it becomes as familiar to you as in the normal<br />

position. <strong>The</strong>n when this is learned, and the corre-

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