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World Cup Ball: Roundness from Angularity
🇩🇪 Germany /Sports

World Cup Ball: Roundness from Angularity

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • The latest World Cup ball, named Trionda, is designed using applied mathematics, forming a sphere from geometric shapes.
  • The article is part of a series that explores how the world can be described using numbers and graphics, from Nobel laureates to viruses.
  • It references a book by Étienne Ghys titled "The Football – The Amazing Mathematics of the World’s Most Watched Object."

The design of the Trionda, the official ball for the latest World Cup, is a testament to applied mathematics. Its spherical form is achieved by constructing it from geometric figures, showcasing a blend of sport and scientific principles.

This innovative design is featured in a recurring series that illustrates how complex concepts, ranging from Nobel Prize winners and viruses to different dog breeds, can be understood and represented through numbers and graphics. The series aims to demystify the world by presenting information in a visually and mathematically accessible way.

The article draws attention to the mathematical underpinnings of the World Cup ball, referencing Étienne Ghys's book, "The Football – The Amazing Mathematics of the World’s Most Watched Object." Published by Princeton University Press in 2025, the book delves into the scientific and mathematical aspects of the sport's most iconic object.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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