Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site watdaisy.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!watdaisy!ndiamond From: ndiamond@watdaisy.UUCP (Norman Diamond) Newsgroups: net.jokes.d,net.puzzle Subject: Re: Manhole covers (interview question) Message-ID: <7096@watdaisy.UUCP> Date: Wed, 20-Mar-85 14:42:19 EST Article-I.D.: watdaisy.7096 Posted: Wed Mar 20 14:42:19 1985 Date-Received: Thu, 21-Mar-85 02:27:13 EST References: <462@nbs-amrf.UUCP>, <7074@watdaisy.UUCP> <474@nbs-amrf.UUCP> Organization: U of Waterloo, Ontario Lines: 82 Xref: watmath net.jokes.d:1001 net.puzzle:627 > (Ted Hopp writes) > The original question was posted to net.jokes as well as net.puzzle, so > I answered it in the spirit of net.jokes. I'm sorry; I thought the puzzle was only posted to net.puzzle, and that you had added net.jokes to your answer. > As a point of logic, if there are square manholes, how can there be ANY > valid answer as to why manholes are round? Uh, digressing back to technical correctness, there is a valid answer why manholes SHOULD be round, == the valid answer why MOST manholes ARE round. > As a point of information, the original poster of the question admitted > on the net that one of the answers he was looking for was my answer 3. Yes, I noticed that in his answer too, and its sensibility is quite appropriate for net.jokes. Again, I apologize for that mis-interpretation. > ... it has also been pointed out on the net that this is false. There is > at least one infinite set of simple closed curves that have this property > - the curves of constant diameter. Also true, but this was not considered by the original poster, nor by you, nor by me, so it is kind of irrelevant. > Also, why doesn't a manhole cover (of any shape, but let's stick to round > ones) fall into the manhole? It is because there is either a ledge on > which it rests or the opening is beveled. Also true and irrelevant... > In either case, I claim that all regular polygons of sufficiently high > order approximate a circle closely enough that they will not fall into > the hole, either. Digressing again to technical matters -- not if the bevel is sufficiently small (depending somewhat on the order of the polygon). > As a point of personal preference, Mr. Diamond, I offer two more answers > that, judging from your reaction so far, should really make you see red: > > 4. [Round] manhole covers are round so that workmen can move > them easily by rolling them. I did regard that answer as a joke (even not knowing that the original puzzle had been half-intended as one). Although I was not impressed with the quality of that joke, I remained silent because I am well aware of differences in taste -- that kind of joke surely appeals to some people, and they have a right to share it. > And, since you refer to my managerial talents, Mr. Diamond: I don't know anything about your managerial talents. I have known the "talents" of 90% of the managers I have had to work for. They were more capable of insulting people's discussions of problems and answers they disliked, than of understanding what the problems and answers really were. > 5. Manhole covers are round because it is cheaper to machine > a round shape than any other shape. Oh! I believe you ... but then have to wonder, why are so many other manufactured objects NOT round .... > I suggest that your posting didn't belong in net.jokes, net.puzzle, or > net.flame. It belonged in net.knee.jerk.reactions. Yes, net.knee.jerk.reactions would have been appropriate. Why would net.flame have been inappropriate? Net.misinterpretation would have been appropriate too. -- Norman Diamond UUCP: {decvax|utzoo|ihnp4|allegra}!watmath!watdaisy!ndiamond CSNET: ndiamond%watdaisy@waterloo.csnet ARPA: ndiamond%watdaisy%waterloo.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa "Opinions are those of the keyboard, and do not reflect on me or higher-ups."