The six steps from the article, one tap at a time. The flat sheet gives way after four coins. Then the same sheet is folded like an accordion — and carries the whole pile. Watch the amber arrow: the load is the one thing that never changes.
1
set up the gap
2
guess out loud first
3
flat sheet gives way
4
fold an accordion
5
load the coins
6
what has changed?
The load — the one thing that is identical in both attempts
The paper
Coins
4
coins before the flat sheet gave way
20
coins the folded sheet carried — the whole pile
0
difference in paper, weight and gap between the two