Impossible trefoil knot — A three-crossing knot becomes an impossible solid ribbon.
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Impossible objects / 2011 drawing

Impossible trefoil knot

A three-crossing knot becomes an impossible solid ribbon.

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View larger, then trace one connected edge all the way through the object. Compare the local joins with the whole shape.

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THE IMAGE IN THIS ARCHIVE

AnonMoos

Original file & attribution · Public domain

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Frequently asked questions

What is Impossible trefoil knot?

A three-crossing knot becomes an impossible solid ribbon.

What should I look for in Impossible trefoil knot?

View larger, then trace one connected edge all the way through the object. Compare the local joins with the whole shape.

What explains Impossible trefoil knot?

The trefoil itself is a perfectly possible mathematical knot. Here its solid faces are arranged as an impossible figure: the shading and connections cannot all describe the depicted rigid object.

Impossible trefoil knot — A three-crossing knot becomes an impossible solid ribbon.

Impossible trefoil knot