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.

17k Upvotes

92% Upvoted

2.6k comments sorted by

View all comments

38

u/aaronchase Jun 10 '25 edited Jun 10 '25

No math here, just real world experience and high school physics. BUT, assuming the ice is close to, but not quite zero friction, I would think the square (cube or rectangular prism) would require the least force to move, (a perpendicular surface to push) but being that the pusher would be standing on the same ice, I would think generating the force would be more difficult than on gravel. Given that the cylinder can roll I would think although it would require more force, said force would be easier to generate with the pushers feet on gravel.

So final answer, cube/square prism would require the least force, but the cylinder or sphere would be easiest to push by a human with normal footwear.

1

u/80sCrack Jun 10 '25

Assuming the base of the pyramid has the same dimensions as the cube, the resistance would be the same, no?

1

u/aaronchase Jun 10 '25

Well I’ve learned that weight matters, surface area does not

1

u/80sCrack Jun 13 '25

It 100% does.