Re: [MATHEDCC] The Potato Salad Problem

r philip grizzard (grizzard@STUDENTS.UIUC.EDU)
Thu, 10 Apr 1997 00:22:21 -0500 (CDT)

Hi, my name is Phil Grizzard and I am a Junior in Math and Math Ed at the
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I hope I'm not the only one
out there who REALLY wants to hear the explanation for this problem.
close like I envision the solution to be. So please enlighten me.

Thanks,
Phil

On 9 Apr 1997, Jerry Thornhill wrote (among other things):

> 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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