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Mathematics is undeniably a complex field to grasp. Most of us aren't inherently inclined to work with large volumes of numbers, even though we regularly perform calculations in our heads. We constantly add, subtract, multiply, and engage with more intricate equations without realizing it. However, the challenge arises when these mental tasks evolve into abstract symbols and unfamiliar terms like ‘derivatives’ once transcribed onto paper.
Some mathematicians strive to break down these complex equations into simpler forms for the general public, while others do the exact opposite – they apply intricate formulas to basic concepts without any apparent reason. A surprising amount of funding, including from legitimate and even government sources, has been directed towards uncovering the math behind even the most mundane aspects of our lives, even though we never specifically requested it.
From the legendary “Beer Goggles” phenomenon to the behavior of dripping teapots, here are 10 ordinary things that scientists have unnecessarily complicated using math.
8. The “Beer Goggles” Phenomenon
We've always had a hunch that drinking more alcohol makes other people appear more attractive. In fact, many of us rely on this effect. While no formal studies have ever proven it, most of us have accepted it based on personal experience.
However, researchers from St. Andrews University and Glasgow University in Scotland were not content with mere assumptions. They embarked on a mission to discover the definitive formula for how alcohol impacts perceptions of attractiveness and conducted a study.
What they discovered was a formula containing symbols that most of us lack the necessary knowledge to comprehend. As far as we can tell, it factors in various elements, such as the lighting of the room, the amount of smoke in the air, the number of drinks you've consumed, and more. From this, it calculates a “Beer Goggle” factor ranging from 1 to 100, where 1 means you see others as attractive as you would when sober, and 100 indicates you find everyone in the room to be in their prime mating condition.
7. The Science Behind Biscuit Dunking
While biscuits are the British equivalent of cookies, they hold a far more significant place in British culture than their American counterparts. Tea and biscuits are a beloved snack in the UK, particularly during dull moments in a typical British day. That’s why all Brits are familiar with the classic dunking tradition of enjoying biscuits with tea. Most can manage a decent dunk, but only a select few approach it with true dedication.
Consider this British scientist who was determined to perfect the art of biscuit dunking. He conducted an extensive and thorough study on every variable that affects a biscuit's dunkability, and it took him several years to complete.
Many of his discoveries were unexpected – even if entirely unnecessary and unsolicited – such as the finding that a gingernut biscuit should be dunked for 3 seconds, while a digestive biscuit can withstand up to 8 seconds of dunking.
6. The Proper Way To Hold A Hamburger
Despite our long history with hamburgers, most of us are terrible at eating them without creating a mess. There's not much we can do about it without changing the very essence of what makes them so enjoyable. Furthermore, most people don't mind either way.
However, some researchers featured on a Japanese TV show claimed they had discovered the ideal method for holding a hamburger without spilling anything. They reached this conclusion after months of detailed calculations and research, clearly demonstrating their commitment to the task.
According to their research, the optimal way to hold a hamburger is with your thumb and pinky on one side, and the rest of your fingers on the opposite side, securing the burger. It might even work if you get the angles just right, though this involves bringing a bit of math into your meal.
5. How To Prevent Teapot Drips
Tea is increasingly being recognized as a healthier, more natural alternative to coffee worldwide. If you've ever given it a try, you'll know that it also presents one of the culinary world's great mysteries: how to prevent a teapot from dripping along its sides when you're pouring. It's a common issue and admittedly a nuisance, though we continue to manage because, after all, tea is quite beneficial for health.
This isn't the case for a group of fluid dynamics experts who decided to tackle the problem with math. Driven by the goal of ending teapot drips for good, they carried out extensive research into the issue. Their findings, however, will not surprise anyone and, in all honesty, weren’t a major revelation to begin with.
What they discovered was that the real culprit is a phenomenon called the 'hydro-capillary effect,' which causes the tea to spill regardless of your efforts. There are various ways to reduce the drips, such as applying butter to the spout, using a teapot made from a thinner material, or choosing one with a more delicate lip.
4. Can Spider-Man Actually Exist?
As a lighthearted party topic, it’s fun to debate whether superheroes could exist in real life. It’s easier to consider those with overtly supernatural powers, as well as the ones without any abilities at all. For the superheroes in between, things become trickier. While it's an intriguing subject, most of us wouldn’t dive deeper than a casual conversation about it.
Some researchers, however, decided to take the conversation further. They examined Spider-Man’s ability to cling to walls and attempted to determine if it could actually be achieved in reality. What they discovered is that this is one ability humanity will never possess.
According to the laws of physics, geckos are the largest animals capable of scaling walls. This is due to the way our bodies interact with surfaces. For us to climb walls like Spider-Man, our shoe size would need to be US 114, or 80% of our body’s frontal area would have to adhere to the surface. Since neither option is feasible or desirable, their research definitively concludes that no amount of scientific advancement or evolutionary changes could enable us to climb walls like geckos.
3. Where Can We Walk On Water?
The idea of walking on water has captivated humans ever since it was first mentioned in a popular book about two thousand years ago. We won't lie, the thought of doing it has crossed our minds too, but as it stands, our understanding of physics simply doesn’t make it possible. It's a bit disappointing, though most of us probably wouldn’t lose much sleep over it.
However, that wasn't the case for a group of researchers from Italy, who banded together to conduct the first in-depth study on the conditions necessary to walk on water. They compared the human body’s structure with that of other animals and also investigated whether the human body is even capable of walking on water in the first place.
Unfortunately, their findings showed that there is no way we can walk on water here on Earth. However, if there was water on the Moon and we were willing to make the trip, we could walk on water there.
2. How Much Saliva Does A Child Produce?
Asking someone how much saliva they produce each day might seem like a strange question. It’s not only personal but also doesn't serve much purpose for general statistics. While estimating saliva production could be useful in certain medical fields, it's not something most people would consider checking as part of their daily routine.
A group of researchers from the University of Hokkaido, Japan, took it a step further. Not only did they calculate the amount of saliva produced by children, but they specifically focused on five-year-olds. After applying extensive calculations and math, they concluded that the average five-year-old produces about 500ml (around 17oz) of saliva every day.
1. Who Is The Real Antichrist?
The true identity of The Antichrist is more of a theological question, or perhaps even a philosophical one, but it certainly doesn’t lend itself to mathematics. There seems to be no way to use math to prove that any real person is the Antichrist. For one, the Antichrist likely isn't a tangible figure. Furthermore, any Antichrist who makes himself so easily identifiable wouldn’t be much of an Antichrist at all.
Despite these fundamental issues, American author Robert W. Faid didn’t let that stop him. He dedicated years to the cause, even involving other students and researchers, to search for a mathematical connection between the Antichrist and Mikhail Gorbachev, the Soviet premier at the time. After extensive research using advanced statistics and probability, Faid claimed to have found such a link, which he published in a book. According to his findings, the odds of Mikhail Gorbachev being the Antichrist were an astonishing 710,609,175,188,282,000 to 1.
