Re: Thoughts while making pot roast


Matt Gutting wrote:
> While peeling the carrots, I noticed that the peelings were about the same width
> (and length) as I peeled down the carrot. While peeling the potatoes, on the
> other hand, the peelings varied in width depending on the surface. When I was
> peeling a "flat" section of the potato, I got relatively wide peelings; when I
> was peeling a very "curvy" section, I got relatively narrow peelings.
>
> Intuitively, I would say that the carrots had a relatively constant "curvature",
> at least along their long axis, while the potatoes had a highly variable
> "curvature". I'm just trying to make my feelings about this "curvature" idea a
> bit more precise, so I can try to say something about it.

A simple (probably too simple) model: the peeler cuts to depth x.
Think about the relationship between a chord cutting a circle,
the radius of the circle, and the maximum thickness of the
section cut out. Obviously for a given thickness, large
radius (flatter) implies large width.

> Oh, and by the way, would it be considered unusual for someone to develop
> mathematical ideas while performing basic household chores? It seems to happen
> to me all the time.

My Electricity and Magnetism teacher was fond of telling people
that Lord Rayleigh (IIRC) wrote a paper on the behavior of a jets of
water ejected from narrow rectangular slots, and why the jet twists in
the air. An observation that apparently came to him at another
contemplative household moment.

- Randy

.

Relevant Pages

  • Thoughts while making pot roast
    ... While peeling the carrots, I noticed that the peelings were about the same width as I peeled down the carrot. ... Intuitively, I would say that the carrots had a relatively constant "curvature", at least along their long axis, while the potatoes had a highly variable "curvature". ...
    (sci.math)
  • Re: what tool to peel carrots?
    ... but it does an awful job of peeling the carrots. ... Wal Mart peelers are crap. ...
    (rec.food.cooking)
  • Re: what tool to peel carrots?
    ... but it does an awful job of peeling the carrots. ... I grew up with that kind of peeler. ...
    (rec.food.cooking)
  • Re: what tool to peel carrots?
    ... but it does an awful job of peeling the carrots. ... tool for the job or are Wal-Mart peelers really bad? ... Wal Mart peelers are crap. ...
    (rec.food.cooking)
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