The Triangle

Nerd Question: 1. Which geometric shape is the strongest?

Nerd Answer: The triangle has a characteristic shared by no other polygon, it is rigid. As force is applied to the vertex (or top peak) of the triangle, the force is deflected down the sides of the structure. The sizes of the angles do not change because the bottom (side opposite the vortex) holds the other two sides in place.)

Nerd Examples in Nature: It seems that they are very uncommon but here are a few examples:
- The fractal patterns on some cone shells
- There are some tetrahedron shaped crystals (fluorite)
- In the arms of starfish
- Orca fins are pretty triangular, as are some shark fins
- In the geometry of spider webs
- Carnivorous Incisors (sharks)
- Serrated leaf margins (maples form a fractal)
- Triangular stems (Yellow Nutsedge)
- Cross section of fruits (orange)
- Star fruit