> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jan-Erik Soderholm [SMTP:jan-erik.soderholm@telia.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, November 12, 2002 8:59 AM
> To:   PICLIST@mitvma.mit.edu
> Subject:      Re: OT: Today's potpourri
>
> Now, since we allready are OT, maybe a little mathematics problem
> could in place ?
>
> Consider a sheet of paper, 0.0001 mm thick.
>
> Lets say you fold it in the middle.
>
> Then fold it again in the middle.
>
> How many times do you have to fold the paper before the "stack"
> have passed the Moon (aprox 380.000 km) ?
>
> 1 million times ?
> Or more ?
> Or less ?
>
> The answer surprises most people not familiar with mathematics.
> (And the answer is also given in a well known book :-) )
>
> Jan-Erik Svderholm
> S:t Anna Data
> Sweden.
>
380,000km = 3.8E11 millimeters

3.8E11 / 0.1E-3 = 3.8E15 thicknesses of paper.

Log2(3.8E15) = 51.75, so 52 times.

Unfortunately it's pretty much impossible to fold a piece of paper more than
about 7-8 times, no matter how big it is!

Regards

Mike

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