2.2 The Power of 2
Some Paper Folding Mathematics

Take a sheet of notebook paper and fold it in half, making a sharp crease. Turn the paper and fold in half again at right angles to the first fold again making a sharp crease. You have now folded the paper twice (see figures.) How many thicknesses or sheets do you have? Cut the sheets so you have a stack of 4 sheets. Continue folding and cutting. Fill in the chart below.
a
Note: A piece of paper is about 1 millimeter or 1/254 inch thick.
What is that equal to in decimal form?
cuts
 sheets
 Power of 2
 		Height in inches
1
 2

2
 4

3
 8

4
 16

5


6


7


8


9



Question:
How many cuts do you think it would take to make enough sheets so they would pile high enough to reach the moon?

Use this spreadsheet to help you find out how many folds it would take to make a stack of paper that reaches the moon.