[MATHEDCC] The Potato Salad Problem

Jerry Thornhill (jerry_thornhill@SW.CC.VA.US)
9 Apr 1997 10:04:03 U

I really like problems like this one for its unexpected answer. I often use
them (realistic or not) to suggest that we should not always trust our
intuition. This is always interesting in the midst of a discussion on
"intuitive" limits.

Another good one involves assuming the earth is a sphere with a circumference
of 25,000 miles. (I know this is not realistic, but it gets worse.) Stretch
a string around the equator so that it exactly touches the surface of the
earth at all points. In other words, take a 25,000 mile long string and put
it around the earth at the equator. Then add 10 FEET (emphasis intended) to
the string and form a new larger circle of string that is equidistant from the
earth at every point. How far above the surface of the earth is the new
string?

Jerry Thornhill
jerry_thornhill@sw.cc.va.us
Southwest Virginia Community College
Richlands, VA

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