Multi-Dimensional

In our very first Maths class in Std XI, our teacher JAM (J.A. Menezes) put forth a mental challenge. He first affirmed that three points at an equal distance from each other would be the nodes of an equilateral triangle. His query was: what geometric figure would make possible for four points to be at an equal distance from each other? A confident collective answer was heard: a square!

JAM pointed out that since the diagonals of the square were longer than the sides, all the nodal points would not be at equal distance to each other. Our further answers: a circle, a rhombus, a parallelogram...  were proved wrong, too. But when we gave up, JAM said, ‘Quit moving within the two-dimensional plane of thought. Move to the third dimension!’ The riddle was unravelled… the four nodal points of a pyramid are at equal distance to each other.

Till we kept searching within the regular two-dimensional framework, we could not see the obvious solution of the pyramid as it needed us to see the third dimension. JAM taught us that day about thinking outside the box. Solutions elude us because we search for them within the regular plane of thought. We need to stretch our thinking beyond limiting boundaries and move across multiple dimensions.

Our multi-dimensional world must be approached in a multi-dimensional way. We must be better at discovering newer dimensions to our beliefs, attitudes and approaches so that we can be better at seeing the obvious as well as adapt to new challenges seen from multiple perspectives.

By being multi-dimensional in tackling every obstacle

We shall BE BETTER at solving the perplexing puzzle!

- Pravin K. Sabnis