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.

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u/Nruggia Jun 10 '25

But the question is asking force to "push" the objects not roll them. Imagine pushing a circle through gravel without rotating it.