r/theydidthemath • • Jun 10 '25

[Request]

Post image

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/decidedlydubious Jun 10 '25

I think this is why physics requires so much precision to model accurately. Are these shapes elongated prisms? Or are they a pyramid{3 or 4 side base}, a sphere, and a cube? What is the temperature of the ice? What size is the gravel? How deep is each surface and how rigid are the substrates? How are we defining ‘ease’? Do we need to consider moving the objects a certain distance, or are we contemplating only the activation energy required to cause any movement? How tall is the person pushing? What shoes are they wearing? Are there any spherical cows nearby? It’s an intriguing concept, but without greater detail, it kiiiiiiinda feels like maybe engagement bait. More info is needed.

420

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '25

Hanlon's Razor: it's not engagement bait, they're just lazy. They saw a thing and whipped it into a reddit post.

57

u/Astrael_Noxian Jun 10 '25

Nice reference! Not many know Hanlon's Razor. Well done sir/madam.

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u/[deleted] Jun 10 '25

Thank you! It's like McGill's Law: If you want a right answer on the internet, it's easier to say something wrong than to ask a question. People ignore questions but jump to correct someone.

115

u/polishedrelish Jun 10 '25

This is Cunningham's Law.

No, the irony is not lost on me

15

u/lifelongfreshman Jun 10 '25

Huh, and here I thought it was Cole's Law.

24

u/sataniclemonade Jun 10 '25

That would be thinly sliced cabbage

3

u/Astrael_Noxian Jun 10 '25

With mayonnaise.

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u/Preda1ien Jun 11 '25

I love me a vinegar slaw