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No Parking Zone! => Off Topic, Off Colour, and non-motorcycle related => Topic started by: Biggles on July 04, 2014, 04:50:34 PM

Title: An infinite number of mathematicians walk into a bar
Post by: Biggles on July 04, 2014, 04:50:34 PM
An infinite number of mathematicians walk into a bar.
The first one says, "I'll have a pint." The second asks for half a pint. The third asks for a quarter of a pint.
"I hope you guys know your limits," the bartender says, and he pours two pints.
Title: Re: An infinite number of mathematicians walk into a bar
Post by: nate on July 04, 2014, 06:11:29 PM
Oh......


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Title: Re: An infinite number of mathematicians walk into a bar
Post by: Biggles on July 04, 2014, 06:49:16 PM
I'm sure there will be someone who will explain it for nate and anyone else who's stuck.
Any amateur mathematicians out there?
Title: Re: An infinite number of mathematicians walk into a bar
Post by: Brock on July 04, 2014, 06:56:24 PM
Its gonnat take forever for them to drink those two beers, and they will never finish it all..  Cheap drinkers.
Title: Re: An infinite number of mathematicians walk into a bar
Post by: Williamson on July 04, 2014, 06:58:08 PM
I'm sure there will be someone who will explain it for nate and anyone else who's stuck.
Any amateur mathematicians out there?


Err!  Not me, I reckon the barman didn't know his maths, he poured just a little bit too much.
Title: Re: An infinite number of mathematicians walk into a bar
Post by: Biggles on July 04, 2014, 08:27:22 PM
Its gonnat take forever for them to drink those two beers, and they will never finish it all..  Cheap drinkers.

nope, that's not quite the point, but a good one, nevertheless.

Err!  Not me, I reckon the barman didn't know his maths, he poured just a little bit too much.

That's pretty close- can you quantify how much too much?     8)
Title: Re: An infinite number of mathematicians walk into a bar
Post by: Brock on July 04, 2014, 08:47:19 PM
An infinitesimal amount.... :)
 
Title: Re: An infinite number of mathematicians walk into a bar
Post by: Biggles on July 04, 2014, 08:52:55 PM
Very good!

The point, to save internet electrons, is that as each mathematician ordered, he asked for half the previous man's quantity.  Thus 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16 and so on.  If you added each of these decreasing amounts, you would be forever approaching a whole pint, but, by definition, never reaching it.
The barkeep short-circuited the process by adding Brock's infinitesimal bit to make a whole pint and left them to divide it up.    :thumbsup      :grin
Title: Re: An infinite number of mathematicians walk into a bar
Post by: Brock on July 04, 2014, 08:57:50 PM
I would prefer to be the first math guy, tha way I get the full glass :beer
Title: Re: An infinite number of mathematicians walk into a bar
Post by: Nigel on July 04, 2014, 09:04:35 PM
I would prefer to be the first math guy, tha way I get the full glass :beer

Yep Yep........................................................................................ :wht11
Title: Re: An infinite number of mathematicians walk into a bar
Post by: Williamson on July 04, 2014, 09:12:39 PM
Its gonnat take forever for them to drink those two beers, and they will never finish it all..  Cheap drinkers.

nope, that's not quite the point, but a good one, nevertheless.

Err!  Not me, I reckon the barman didn't know his maths, he poured just a little bit too much.

That's pretty close- can you quantify how much too much?     8)

An infinitesimal amount.... :)

Very good!

The point, to save internet electrons, is that as each mathematician ordered, he asked for half the previous man's quantity.  Thus 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16 and so on.  If you added each of these decreasing amounts, you would be forever approaching a whole pint, but, by definition, never reaching it.
The barkeep short-circuited the process by adding Brock's infinitesimal bit to make a whole pint and left them to divide it up.    :thumbsup      :grin

I would prefer to be the first math guy, tha way I get the full glass :beer

I would prefer to be the first math guy, tha way I get the full glass :beer

Yep Yep........................................................................................ :wht11

Oh, my eye lashes are hurting ............
Title: Re: An infinite number of mathematicians walk into a bar
Post by: Biggles on July 04, 2014, 10:14:05 PM
There's actually a kicker to all that.
The barman asks whether the mathematicians are aware of their limits.
There is, of course, a pun on the idea of having a drinking limit for sobriety, but in the mathematical realm, it also alludes to the aspect of infinitude.
Whereas theoretical geometric progressions approaching zero can, by definition, never reach zero (the theoretical hyperbolic line and its axis), we are dealing here with matter.
So the unfortunate barman will ultimately be confronted with his inability to split an atom.
Hence the limit of which he reminds them.     :whistle

Mind you,m the bar is getting crowded by then...
Title: Re: An infinite number of mathematicians walk into a bar
Post by: Williamson on July 04, 2014, 10:47:16 PM
....... So the unfortunate barman will ultimately be confronted with his inability to split an atom.

Unless of course he does, and then it would interesting to know of the mathematicians reaction to that event.

.... Mind you, the bar is getting crowded by then...

It would be very crowded indeed, in fact way before that - there is something like 1 x 1026 atoms in a litre of water.
Title: Re: An infinite number of mathematicians walk into a bar
Post by: Gadget on July 04, 2014, 10:57:35 PM
Of concern is the dimsension of the bar and the volume of air in order to sustain life with an infinite number of mathemeticians breathing.  :eek
Title: Re: An infinite number of mathematicians walk into a bar
Post by: Gadget on July 04, 2014, 10:59:43 PM
Is this where I mention Measurement Uncertainty?  Wot thuh
Title: Re: An infinite number of mathematicians walk into a bar
Post by: Biggles on July 05, 2014, 10:40:04 AM
Is this where I mention Measurement Uncertainty?  Wot thuh

I would think so.  We should be able to get some mileage out of that.   :think1
Title: Re: An infinite number of mathematicians walk into a bar
Post by: Biggles on July 05, 2014, 11:43:04 AM
Is this where I mention Measurement Uncertainty?  Wot thuh

I agonize over that every time I check my bike's tyre pressure.  How much have I changed it just by testing it????                     :||||
Title: Re: An infinite number of mathematicians walk into a bar
Post by: Brock on July 05, 2014, 11:55:24 AM
No, do not mention Uncertainty on Measurement, on pain of expulsion.

(By the way, only 5 samples are needed, as the results from higher samples dont affect the result (+/- a % or 2))


Any way, you cany get an infinite number of Mathematicians cos there arent enough brain surgeons to do the lobotomy...

 o:)
Title: Re: An infinite number of mathematicians walk into a bar
Post by: Nigel on July 05, 2014, 02:07:32 PM
Impossible......................................................the bars not big enough to hold an infinite amount!.......................................................... :wht11
Title: Re: An infinite number of mathematicians walk into a bar
Post by: Skip on July 05, 2014, 04:53:16 PM
 :eek  ALL of you guys should just go for a ride. Seriously. All that was just a waste of precious time.  :nahnah