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 polydrafter 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 triangle

Triangle

A triangle is one of the basic shapes of geometry: a polygon with three corners or vertices and three sides or edges which are line segments. A triangle with vertices A, B, and C is denoted ....

 as the base form. The triangle has angles of 30°, 60° and 90°, like a set square

Set square

A set square or triangle is an object used in engineering and technical drawing, with the aim of providing a straightedge at a right angle or other particular planar angle to a baseline....

—hence the name. The polydrafter was invented by Christopher Monckton

Christopher Monckton, 3rd Viscount Monckton of Brenchley

Christopher Walter Monckton, 3rd Viscount Monckton of Brenchley is a British politician, public speaker, former newspaper editor and hereditary peer. Formerly a member of the Conservative Party, Monckton has been the Head of the Policy Unit for the UK Independence Party since November 2010. He was...

, whose Eternity Puzzle

Eternity puzzle

Eternity is a tiling puzzle created by Christopher Monckton and launched by the Ertl Company in June 1999. Consisting of 209 pieces, it was marketed as being practically unsolveable, with a £1 million prize on offer for whoever could solve it within four years. The prize was paid out in October...

 was composed of 209 hexadrafters.

The term polydrafter was coined by Ed Pegg, Jr.

Ed Pegg, Jr.

Ed Pegg, Jr. is an expert on mathematical puzzles and is a self-described recreational mathematician. He creates puzzles for the Mathematical Association of America online at Ed Pegg, Jr.'s Math Games. His puzzles have also been used by Will Shortz on the puzzle segment of NPR's Weekend Edition...

The 14 tridrafters — all possible clusters of three drafters — make an excellent small puzzle that is surprisingly difficult to solve by hand.