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FlamesAddiction · 06-30-2022, 03:48 PM

I have a couple that I came across the other day. I don't think the math is too complex, but just not intuitive.

1. How many people would you need in a room for there to be a 50% chance that 2 of the people will share the same birthday?

2. If you had a rope and extended it around the circumference of the Earth (40,075 km), then wanted to elevate the rope 1 foot off the ground across the whole plant, so it was like a ring hovering over the Earth, how much more rope would you need? Then do the same thing with a tennis ball and compare the numbers.

I will admit that I am not a math guy, but the answers surprised me.

06-30-2022, 03:48 PM	#5
FlamesAddiction Franchise Player Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Vancouver Exp:	I have a couple that I came across the other day. I don't think the math is too complex, but just not intuitive. 1. How many people would you need in a room for there to be a 50% chance that 2 of the people will share the same birthday? 2. If you had a rope and extended it around the circumference of the Earth (40,075 km), then wanted to elevate the rope 1 foot off the ground across the whole plant, so it was like a ring hovering over the Earth, how much more rope would you need? Then do the same thing with a tennis ball and compare the numbers. I will admit that I am not a math guy, but the answers surprised me. __________________ "A pessimist thinks things can't get any worse. An optimist knows they can." Last edited by FlamesAddiction; 06-30-2022 at 11:20 PM.