Are you smart?

[JetsMets#1fan]

In a lake, there's an oil spill. Every day the spills doubles in size. If it takes 24 days for the spill to cover the entire lake, how long would it take for the spill to cover half of the lake?

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/frontal-cortex/2012/06/daniel-kahneman-bias-studies.html

 

[slugg77]

Do you want this posted or PM?

 

[Doc4]

 

[Kairtane]

Do you want this posted or PM?

I have the same question.

 

[JetsMets#1fan]

Do you want this posted or PM?

I have the same question.

Post your answers if you'd like... just wanted to share this article...

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/frontal-cortex/2012/06/daniel-kahneman-bias-studies.html

 

[smalltank]

nahh...there are book smart people..then street smart people..then those who know a little of everything..just depends on HOW the individual wants to learn best

 

[CyclingFool]

I'll be "that" guy: 23.

 

[OldSaw]

I'll be "that" guy: 23.

Sounds like a good name for a movie.

 

[rearviewmirror]

Another good one, that I learned in a math class. We had 15 seconds to answer the game: In the past, the NCAA mens basketball tournament had 64 teams. How many total games were played?

Spoiler

Since its single elimination, 63 teams have to be eliminated, leaving one winner. So 63.

 

[DEGuy]

23 days to cover half the lake: on the 24th day it will have doubled in size, covering the entire lake.

 

[Kentos]

Another good one, that I learned in a math class. We had 15 seconds to answer the game: In the past, the NCAA mens basketball tournament had 64 teams. How many total games were played?

Spoiler

Since its single elimination, 63 teams have to be eliminated, leaving one winner. So 63.

Wouldn't it be half of 64 since you need two teams to play a game?

I'm not too smart

 

[Viseguy]

Interesting article. (Shame about the "duplication"; I hope Jonah Lehrer can recover from it.) I flubbed the bat and ball question. Guess that means I'm smart.

 

[cb91710]

You pour a cup of 190 degree coffee.
You are preparing to add your room-temperature creamer when your boss calls you to his office.

You know it will be only a few minutes before you return, but you want your coffee as hot as possible when you return.
Should you add the cream now, or when you return?

 

[Seraphim]

Add the cream now.


Except, I take mine black!

 

[oc_in_fw]

You pour a cup of 190 degree coffee.
You are preparing to add your room-temperature creamer when your boss calls you to his office.

You know it will be only a few minutes before you return, but you want your coffee as hot as possible when you return.
Should you add the cream now, or when you return?

Tell the boss you will be there when you are done drinking your coffee

 

[Seraphim]

tell the boss you will be there when you are done drinking your coffee

iq=185!

 

[oc_in_fw]

iq=185!

Actually 162 Seriously, I said it in jest, but then I have a boss that always asks me to come by the office as soon as I can. Unless there is an emergency, I can get away with saying "let me finish up and I will be there". He is pretty easy going, and knows I can get the tough things done for him.

 

[JetsMets#1fan]

You pour a cup of 190 degree coffee.
You are preparing to add your room-temperature creamer when your boss calls you to his office.

You know it will be only a few minutes before you return, but you want your coffee as hot as possible when you return.
Should you add the cream now, or when you return?

Well, just toss that cup of coffee and get a new one when you get back... lol, but seriously, what's the answer?

Wait a minute, isn't 195 degrees too hot for coffee? So you just pour the creamer before you go see the boss and by the time you get back it should be drinkable!?!?!

Tell the boss you will be there when you are done drinking your coffee

iq=185!

Lmmfao...

 

[cb91710]

Wait a minute, isn't 195 degrees too hot for coffee? So you just pour the creamer before you go see the boss and by the time you get back it should be drinkable!?!?!

Correct answer, incorrect reasoning.

The parameter was "you want the coffee to be as hot as possible" when you return.

Temperatures will naturally equalize, and the cooling/heating curve (with ambient at the center) is parabolic.
A hot body cools more quickly than a cooler body.

Adding the cream "now" will lower the temperature immediately, and it will then begin it's natural cooling from that point forward on the curve.
Waiting will have the hot coffee cooling much more quickly, then adding the cream later will cause a further immediate drop.

 

[Cynomys]

Another good one, that I learned in a math class. We had 15 seconds to answer the game: In the past, the NCAA mens basketball tournament had 64 teams. How many total games were played?

Spoiler

Since its single elimination, 63 teams have to be eliminated, leaving one winner. So 63.

But isn't there also a consolation game for 3rd-4th place. So 64 games are played. Right?