Creating the Concept of the 4th Dimension

When we start out with the concept of the 4th dimension we are at loose ends. We have
questions like What is the 4th dimension? and How can we prove the 4th dimension exists?.
When exploring new ideas questions are exactly what we want to ask. The first step would be to
look at all the dimensions under the fourth. Go down one and you have the 3rd dimension which
is the world we see around us. The 2nd dimension is a plane, the 1st dimension is a line and the
0 dimension would just be one point. In order to expand are thinking to the fourth we have to
understand how each dimension creates the next. When we have a stack of 0 dimensional
spaces we can spread them out and create a line, this would then create the 1st dimension. If
we stack a whole bunch of 1 dimensional lines and spread them out we now have a 2
dimensional plane. Now if we stack a bunch of 2 dimensional planes on top of each other like a
stack of papers we can create a 3rd dimensional object thus proving you can create a 3rd
dimension from 0 dimention. Lastly we look at our previous proofs and conclude that following
the same pattern we can create the 4th dimension by stacking 3rd dimensions on top of each
other.

View the Familiar in Unfamiliar Ways

When solving problems we usually limit our ability with familiarity and what makes the most
sense. The term thinking out of the box is one that should be applied when
dealing with concepts like the 4th dimension. One way to imagine dimensions
is with stacks. To the right is a representation of 3-dimensional space as a
stack of 2-dimensional spaces (planes). When asked to explain
what this object might be we can see that it represented a
vertically oriented diamond in 3 dimensional space using
stacks. Using that same method but in the 4th dimension
(Picture Left) we see that no matter what dimension if we write
using this method are object will stay the same. Now put your
minds eye at the top of an object and imagine what the top were
to look like if I cut it into slices. Picture down right is a
representation of 3-dimensional space as a stack of 2dimensional spaces. The levels show where some object in 3dimensional space touches each of those stacked 2dimensional spaces. We can see that the object would be somewhat the
shape of a football in 3rd dimensional space. Using the
knowledge from earlier we can apply it to the 4th dimension
(Picture Down Left) and see that the football object has not
changed shape. This shows us that using this method we can
have a shape or plane exist in any dimension.

A 4D Thief

As a test of our understanding of the 4th dimension we are approached with a puzzle
(Pictured Right). There is a 3-dimensional safe existing on the 0-level of 4-dimensional
space. How could you, being a 4-dimensional thief, steal what's inside without opening
the safe? When approached with a difficult problem we know to retreat and look at the
basics. Also from what we just learned we know that we can have any object exist in
any dimension. So if we were to move the four dimensional being and the 3rd dimensional safe
into the 2nd dimension, we can see that all we have to do is move the math book up a level not
having to go through the safe at all. Now we know that in the 4rth dimension all we have to do to
get the book is grab it and move it up a level.

Flatland

When looking at 4 dimensional space it can be confusing because its something so

unfamiliar. For example when were asked what a 4 dimensional being looks like
one solution to this problem would be moving things to 2 dimensional space. We
could move some things to the 3rd dimension but when we are drawing it's easier
to imagine 2 dimension. For the sake of visualisation let's imagine a piece of paper
is Flatland and that plane is the whole world. Now if we imagine drawing a 2
dimensional figure most would draw a stick figure. But in a true 2 dimensional
Flatland if your eyes are in your head then you would only be able to see your
brain. And if your mouth is on your head that you won't be able to get food into your
mouth. So in truth a 2 dimensional being will look like this....
Creating a 4D Cube

When creating a 4d cube we want to retreat and look at the cube in other dimensions. So first
we retreat to the third dimension and draw a level styled picture with 2 dimensional layers.
This would just be lots and lots of square slices. Now with this info we can assume that a 4d
cube would be a stack of 3d cubes on top of each other. Even when asked with a harder
question like How would you unfold a 4d cube? the answer is to retreat and figure it out.

Exploring a 4-dimensional cube.

Before we answer the question how would you unfold a 4d cube? we need to say What is the
boundary of a 4d cube?. With this we can retreat and look at the boundary a a 3d cube. When
we write a 3d cube using the slices method we stack 2d squares on top of each other showing
that each side of the cube is a lower level. So when we think of a 4d cube we now know that the
sides are going to be 3d cubes. And when we distribute how many cubes go on each side we
can tell that the boundary of a 4d cube is 8 3d cubes. Now we can answer the question how
would you unfold a 4d cube? First we retreat and look at how you unfold the 2d slices that
make up a 3d cube. We number the sides to what side meets what other side and all we have to
do is apply those same insights to the 4d realm.

The power of retreating.

Throughout this whole unit we have seen that when we are faced with a problem we have
trouble understanding we can break it down and look at the simpler version. Because when we
look at the simpler version we can see things more clearly and identify patterns we couldn't
comprehend in the more difficult question. Once we are able to identify the patterns and
methods all we have to do to solve the more complicated question is apply those same insights!
The power of retreating can be used in many ways and is a method we have seen throughout
this whole course when faced with difficult problems.