In recreational mathematics

Recreational mathematics

Recreational mathematics is an umbrella term, referring to mathematical puzzles and mathematical games.Not all problems in this field require a knowledge of advanced mathematics, and thus, recreational mathematics often attracts the curiosity of non-mathematicians, and inspires their further study...

, a polystick (or polyedge) is a polyform

Polyform

In recreational mathematics, a polyform is a plane figure constructed by joining together identical basic polygons. The basic polygon is often a convex plane-filling polygon, such as a square or a triangle. More specific names have been given to polyforms resulting from specific basic polygons, as...

 with a line segment

Line segment

In geometry, a line segment is a part of a line that is bounded by two end points, and contains every point on the line between its end points. Examples of line segments include the sides of a triangle or square. More generally, when the end points are both vertices of a polygon, the line segment...

(a 'stick') as the basic shape. Polysticks result when identical line segments are joined together end-to-end at 0° or 90° angles.

The possible different polysticks, not including rotations and reflections, include:

• 1 monostick,
• 2 disticks,
• 5 tristicks, and
• 16 tetrasticks.

The following diagram shows the polysticks of sizes 1 through 4, including the 1 monostick (red), 2 disticks (green), 5 tristicks (blue), and 16 tetrasticks (black).