On 02:22 PM 24/01/2002 +1000, [EMAIL PROTECTED] said: > > > > > <snip> > > > ... I worked with PHD math major who walked around with a coffee mug > > > most of the time sharing his paradoxes of math algorithms > > and equating > > them > > > to real world applications. He once told me the boring > > mathematical > > theory > > > how to stack oranges in the most efficient manner. Yes there was a > > formula > > > to it. There was also the stock boy with a 6th grade > > education working in > > > the produce section of a grocery store who already knew > > without a proof > > > that the most efficient method was to stack them side by > > side and build > > the > > > orange pyramid in the isle. > > > > My understanding is that mathematicians have had very strong > > suspicions, and > > for some time, that the "pyramid" pattern is the most > > efficient possible for > > stacking spheres (i.e. in terms of minimising the unoccupied > > volume between > > adjacent spheres). The rub, however, is to actually prove > > that (which I > > gather *has* now occurred, but only within the last five or so years). > > > >Note that the efficiency of the stacking is not necessarily what the grocery >boy was aiming for. The grocery boy would no doubt be aiming for optimum >stability of the stack, not optimum efficiency of the stack. The fact that >in this instance the most stable stacking method is also the most efficient >in terms of space is neither here nor there to either problem. > >Cheers, >MvdW
And there it is boys and girls - clear evidence that not only do engineers stand in a corner by themselves at parties - but that they actually *should* do so. It is for the common good you know... I'm off to the grocery store to see how many oranges I can buy - from the bottom of the pile of course... Hooroo, Ian (Now will the Forum Admin threaten all and sundry over this flagrant misuse of a few pico-percent of the internet capacity...) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
