'One of the Most Vivid Arithmetic Failings Displayed by Americans'

It's depressing that the general public cannot even grasp the basic concepts of fractions. Maybe we should go to the metric system. The 149 Gram burger sounds better than the 113 Gram.

Or, they could have called it "The 5 ounce burger". 5 being greater than the 4 in 1/4.

That's one advantage of the metric system. Who doesn't have to pause when choosing a 3/16 inch drill bit or a 13/64 inch drill bit?

But most people resist changing because they don't even understand it would be easier for them.

Or if they sold both a 1/3 pound and a 1/5 pound, and made them both the same price as the quarter pounder, they would have come out on top at the expense of the innumerates.

Bwahahahaha >:-} ...Jim Thompson

They could charge more for the 1/5 pounder and make a killing.

Someone told me that at one of the Jeff Foxworthy standup events when he was doing the stupid people routine they were selling "STUPID" signs.

They were $2 each or two for $5.

Wait until you tell 'em you can raise numbers to negative powers. That really flips their lids.

An ad here said, "Buy three tyres for the price of four and get a fourth one absolutely free!".

Cheers

Then think in 64ths. That's how I do woodworking. I decide the needed precision for the operation(s) and stick to that fraction. So, in the above case, I'd use 12 or 13 (64ths being "silent").

Utter nonsense. Some just *have* to show how "superior" they are.

When dealing with fractions, I don't go below 16ths. It's so-many 16ths plus/minus 1/32 or 1/64, E.g., your 13/64 is 3/16 + 1/64. I have the intuition for how much the 16ths are, but not finer.

Bob

Sometimes the 64th's matter, depending on material, desired thread, etc., so I finally succumbed and bought a drill bit cabinet and gauges so I can stay organized...

(cropped to not show the constant mess that my desk and workbench stay in ;-) ...Jim Thompson

Thank god I'm not the only one with this problem after all.

My biggest problem occurs when the wife decides to "neaten up". Then my organization "by piles" fails :-( ...Jim Thompson

-- | James E.Thompson | mens | | Analog Innovations | et | | Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus | | STV, Queen Creek, AZ 85142 Skype: skypeanalog | | | Voice:(480)460-2350 Fax: Available upon request | Brass Rat | | E-mail Icon at

I'm looking for work... see my website.

At first I didn't believe this. So I dug on the Internet and found it is true. The original source is Alfred Taubman who wrote this in his book, "Threshold Resistance" and confirmed this in his blog shortly before passing away.

Fourth item down.

I really believe it is something genetic. I literally can't picture what to do with most things other than to set them "over there". On the other hand, I'm very organized on the computer. I know where everything is on the disk drive. I think it is the difference between having a logical relationship and structure of hierarchy vs. whatever an office should be (which I can't picture). Maybe I should subscribe to "Better Desk and Office".

Wow! Open a fast-food place with 1/8 pounders at the price of the 1/4 pounders and you'll get rich. Until the public gets educated. Maybe.

Or they pay attention to their stomachs.

Or look behind the pickle.

Educated, or experienced.

A 1/5 pounder(*) that actually contains 1/3 pound could work.