Mathematical Model Shows What Future Flags Would Look Like as U.S. Grows
Old Glory 51 bright stars and 13 broad stripes. Slate Magazine and an Emory University math professor have figured out how to preserve Old Glory's symmetry in case a new state is ever admitted to the Union. Slate If Puerto Rico becomes a state, we'd have to add a 51st star to the flag. An Emory University mathematician has come up with a method to do it without disrupting Old Glory's symmetry. The Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2010, currently making its way through Congress, could make it it a necessity. The bill would grant the territory's residents a vote on their status, and options include statehood or independence. Mathematician Skip Garibaldi analyzed the country's past flags to figure out the most common flag patterns, and worked out which patterns would work best for varying numbers of stars. This interactive flag calculator allows you to come up with flag designs for states...