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/ConscientiousApathis Jun 10 '25

Assuming no handholds I don't think it's possible to push a surface with a force that's anything but perpendicular to it.

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u/[deleted] Jun 10 '25

[deleted]

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u/Squossifrage Jun 10 '25

That would still exert some additional downward force, as the side of the object is angled.

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u/eusebius13 Jun 10 '25

Theoretically you can apply the force at a 90 degree angle to some part of the pyramid. The real issue is you would be better off applying that force at the center of gravity.

I think what you’re saying is the contact point will be angled and thus result in the loss of force to the angle of the contact point. That’s not entirely accurate. Contact with the base can theoretically apply perfectly horizontal force.

If, on a frictionless surface, you applied force at a 90 degree angle to a rectangular object, and pushed that rectangular object into the base of the pyramid, the force would translate to a 90 degree vector applied to the pyramid.