Hide answer & extension
The sides of A4 paper are in the ratio \(1:\sqrt{2}\). Let the width of the paper be 1 unit. This means that the height of the paper is \(\sqrt{2}\) units.
Therefore on the diagram, \(AE=1, BE=1, AC=\sqrt{2}\). By Pythagoras' Theorem, \(AB=\sqrt{2}\), so \(AB=AC\).
\(BF=DF=\sqrt{2}-1\) so by Pythagoras' Theorem again, \(BD=2-\sqrt{2}\). \(CD=1-(\sqrt{2}-1)=2-\sqrt{2}\). Hence, \(CD=BD\) and so the shape is a kite.
Extension
Prove that for a starting rectangle with the sides in any ratio, the resulting shape is a
cyclic quadrilateral.
![](javascript:showlimage("folding-a4-paper.png"))
![](javascript:showlimage("kite.png"))
