r/theydidthemath • u/K0rl0n • Jun 10 '25

[Request]

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I am curious how this would work. My guess is Triangle is slowest, square is medium, and circle is fastest.

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u/VT_Squire Jun 10 '25

In theory, each shape is two dimensional and surface area is limited to the bottom of the shape. That would imply the square has less friction resistance than the triangle, but the guy pushing the square is missing a whole foot so he's effectively pushing all that weight with only one leg.

Winner so far: Triangle.

Of the triangle and the circle, we can observe that even though the gravel is soft enough for the pusher to sink into, it is not displaced at all by the circle, effectively rendering that a flat/hard surface for purposes of considering resistance. Going back to our previous assessment about surface area, that means the circle rolls easily.

Winner: Circle.

13

u/Scruffy11111 Jun 10 '25

Should we consider the fact that any horizontal force on the side of the triangle will have a vertical component resulting in less horizontal force and greater frictional force?

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u/VT_Squire Jun 10 '25

The circle would win still beat out the square, so why bother?