A basic arithmetic quiz…
An engineer, an accountant, and a mathematician were asked one question:
What is 2 + 2?
The answers:
Mathematician, quickly: 4.
Engineer, after pondering for a moment: Three and a half; four and a half; somewhere in there.
Accountant, with a sly grin: What do you want it to be?
You may need a pencil and paper…
Playing with numbers can be frustrating, fun, and educational. Here’s a quiz:
On a Mega Roll of toilet paper, each “square” (not really a square) is 4” wide by 4-1/8” long. The outside diameter of a new, unused roll is 5” and the outside diameter of the cardboard center is 1-1/2”.
Questions:
How many squares does it take to wrap once around the first (outside) layer of the Mega Roll?
How many squares does it take to go once around the cardboard center?
What is the math equation needed to get closer to determining those answers?
If you think you have the answers, or if you want the correct answers, drop me a note. Then, read below about ice cream you scream we all scream for ice cream:
Ice cream research: weight to volume
When most people try to compare ice cream, aside from price, a personal preference of flavor is involved. The debate in our family is among several brands focused on simple vanilla.
At a recent, periodical visit to the Harris Teeter for a bag or two of daily supplies, and then later while at Trader Joe’s, an experiment of sorts was embarked on. (I hate ending a sentence with a preposition, but this one is going to.)
At Harris Teeter, I grabbed standard cartons of four brands of vanilla and darted over to the produce section for “close-enough” weights of each selection, noting (on my wife’s grocery list) the volume and weight of each container, both converted to ounces for ’ciphering. Go figure!
Ben & Jerry’s: One pint (16 ounces) of volume; one pound (16 ounces) of weight. Ratio of weight/volume: 16/16 or 1-to-1. Perfect!
Trader Joe’s: 1/2 gallon (64 ounces) of volume; 3.69 pounds (59 ounces) of weight. Ratio of weight/volume: 92 percent of the volume is ice cream weight.
Mayfield and Tillamook (two brands): 1-1/2 quarts (48 ounces) of volume; 2-1/8 pounds (34 ounces) of weight. Ratio of weight/volume: 71 percent of the volume is ice cream.
Breyers: 1-1/2 (48 ounces) of volume; 1-7/8 pounds (30 ounces) of weight; Ratio of weight/volume: 62.5 percent of the volume is ice cream.
That’s a lot of ice cream, not purchased just used for experimental purposes. The bottom line is this:
In a pint of Ben & Jerry’s vanilla, you’ll get more ice cream packed per volume ounce than in the others. Trader Joe’s is not too far behind. Mayfield and Tillamook are next with Breyers last among the five. This unscientific discovery confirms what I’ve always though about Breyers: It’s packed with lots of air, 37.5 percent or 18 ounces of the 48 volume ounces is air.
As far as my favorite by taste, I start with Trader Joe’s, then Mayfield, and then Ben & Jerry’s. As far as price, well, that’s a numbers game for another time, especially when Harris Teeter offers a BOGO (buy one, get one) special, and then, when looking for something a bit more tasty than vanilla, we buy multiple concoctions of Ben & Jerry’s solidly packed in a pint.
Speaking of groceries…
Inflation is felt the hardest in the grocery store check-out line and when paying utility bills, especially when those utilities are monopolies such as Duke Energy where we get electricity, a consumer story for another time.
Over the last few years, especially since the beginning of COVID, our frequency of going to the grocery store has increased but the volume of purchases per visit has decreased, and we spread our selections to at least three sources—Harris Teeter, Trader Joe’s, and the Fresh Market—depending on weekly specials such as the Fresh Market Chuck and Chicken specials on Tuesday.
Usually on our list of regular selections is orange juice, the “fresh” squeezed kind that’s straight from the orange to the container. (Is there not any “concentrate” OJ remaining, the kind that reads, “just add water and mix?)
Take a look at this photo:
Two bottles of Tropicana orange juice which are of equal height. However, notice the bottle on the left is skinnier than the one on the right. That’s because the one on the right, which we have been buying for years, contains 54 fluid ounces of orange juice while the bottle on the left offers just 46 fluid ounces. The prices are the same.
Inflation is not so good for the consumer, so the food suppliers package less in smaller containers to charge the same. That is, except for Trade Joe’s Vanilla Ice Cream! Ben & Jerry’s as well.
A geometry quiz…
What did the triangle say to the circle?
Know the answer? Tell us. Want the answer? Ask us! It’s pretty much the same as todays JIM TALK!
The gridiron approaches…
For me, college football starts Thursday, August 29. NC State opens that night at home against Western Carolina, a tune up game before playing Tennessee 10 days later in Charlotte.
Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren wants his team to be great this year, the first time we know of that he’s asked that of the players in his 11 seasons (now 12th) in Raleigh. The game against the Vols—not the opener against the Catamounts unless WCU wins—could be a season make or break for State.
More later…