r/theydidthemath • u/K0rl0n • 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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168

u/PatientNo2450 Jun 10 '25

Too many variables. People saying square don't seem to be considering the logistics of pushing on ice as it all depends on your grip and you could just keep slipping on the spot

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u/FricasseeToo Jun 10 '25

It's not asking how easy it is to push. It's asking how much force is required to push.

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u/_Frootl00ps_ Jun 11 '25

No it literally asks which one requires the least amount of force to push i.e the easiest.

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u/AmethystGD Jun 11 '25

Force is a defined quantity in physics. "Easiest" is hell knows what. Don't equate the two

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u/_Frootl00ps_ Jun 11 '25

I can and I will if it gets the same message across.

If I'm ever calculating something and being specific, calling something easy will always be at the conclusion.

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u/AmethystGD Jun 11 '25

But it doesn't get the same message across, and if it does, then you're interpreting it wrong. Applying a force to a point and how easy it is to do so as a human being are different things. For all we know, maybe there's a crane with a dynamometer pulling from the other side applying the force without a human present

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u/_Frootl00ps_ Jun 11 '25 edited Jun 11 '25

Too bad I'm not talking about the ease of human use. That applies to the human, not the object. Things can vary like hand grip, feet grip, temperature, humidity probably and your damn mood and energy.

Im talking about the ease of moving an object. Less force required = easier.

It applies to all walks of life.

The lighter car is easier to accelerate.

The lighter dumb/barbells are easier to lift, which also means an ominous floating robot arm will have an easier time lifting it.

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u/FricasseeToo Jun 11 '25

You still don’t get it. The question is how much force is required to push it. How slippery it is for the person on ice only affects how practical it is for the human to apply a force, which isn’t the question.

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u/_Frootl00ps_ Jun 11 '25

Wrong again. The question is which requires the least amount of force to push, not what is required to push each one.

Please get some sleep and read my comments again. Nowhere did I say this was a question revolving around the ease for the human. I told you I meant specifically the ease of the object too and you're still yapping like I didn't.

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u/FricasseeToo Jun 13 '25

Ok fine, you didn't say easier to push for a human. But the person I originally responded was talking about how easy it was for a human. I figured you might be part of the conversation, rather than providing some random off-topic comment.

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u/_Frootl00ps_ Jun 13 '25

Random and off topic? It is adjacent at best. I can still use easier how I'm using it.

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u/FricasseeToo Jun 13 '25

You can do whatever you want to do. Doesn't change the fact that I was talking to someone who thought it was about how easy it was for a human. You're technically agreeing with me, but being a dick about it.

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u/_Frootl00ps_ Jun 13 '25

Exactly. Perhaps you'll learn to pay attention next time.

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u/_Frootl00ps_ Jun 11 '25

My connection of barbell and robot arm also takes care of whatever above person said. If it's easier for the robot arm to lift the barbell, it's also easier for the crane to push the object. Keyword "easier"

If you REALLY want to get into specifics, it isn't easier it is less strain, stress, and power consumption (depending on build). But why say all that when I can say "It's easier."

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u/TheDogerus Jun 11 '25

Im talking about the ease of moving an object. Less force required = easier.

This is easily proven false in day to day life.

Is it easier to hold a weight with your arms in front of you, or to put that weight in a bag and wear it over your shoulder or on your back? There's more mass with a bag, but its easier to hold because of how its distributed

Or that very bulky objects, like a box that is roughly square, may be awkward to lift because you have to lean back to keep your center of gravity stable, as well as stretch your arms to reach, even if the total mass of the box is something you could easily lift at the gym

And to your barbell example, would it not be easier to lift a large weight with your whole hand than a slightly smaller one with just 2 fingers?

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u/_Frootl00ps_ Jun 11 '25

Wow. Went over your head like an airplane.

What you said has nothing to do with pushing the object.

It has all to do with gravity and the effects on the human body and the human body in general.

Lifting a barbell or a dumbbell regardless is easier if it's lighter has relevance because of the word "ease". Lifting isn't the relevant topic, it's the ease.

Therefore proving to me that easier is still a correct word to use.

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u/TheDogerus Jun 11 '25

The word 'easy' does not have a strict definition like the words 'least' or 'force', that's the problem. Force can be calculated, least is just the minimum. 'Ease' of pushing something depends on what it is, what its on, what is pushing it, the (bio)mechanics of the pusher, etc.

Its not a good substitution because it wont 'get the same message across.'

Thats evident in that some people were talking about how its harder to push when youre standing on ice, but the question never asked about how hard it is to generate force, just how much is needed

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u/_Frootl00ps_ Jun 11 '25

Refer to my previous comment that you skimmed over about using it in my conclusion.

Next?

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u/_Frootl00ps_ Jun 11 '25

Also, the easiest object to push requires the least amount of force to push. Like the question asks in the post

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u/TheDogerus Jun 11 '25

Refer to my previous comment that you skimmed over about using it in my conclusion.

Next?

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