More or Less: Behind the Stats How many holes are there in a drinking straw?
Sep 19, 2021
Dive into the mind-bending world of geometry and drinking straws! Explore the question of how many holes are in a straw and the surprising complexities of defining a 'hole.' Discover how mathematical concepts relate to real-world issues like pandemics and electoral predictions. Learn the importance of clear definitions in statistics and how they shape our understanding of vaccine efficacy. Finally, enjoy a playful yet insightful conclusion about the theoretical number of holes, landing at the answer of two.
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The Straw and the Trousers
- Tim Harford initially thought a straw obviously has one hole.
- Jordan Ellenberg changed the problem to trousers and then to a thong to illustrate different perspectives on holes.
The Arithmetic of Holes
- Holes can be added and subtracted like numbers, leading to different interpretations.
- Ellenberg's daughter provided the insight that the waist hole is the sum of two leg holes.
Tunnels and Trousers
- Harford's daughter also observed that two tunnels merging are like a pair of trousers.
- This analogy helps understand how two seemingly separate holes can become one.
