This weekend I was astonished to learn that I’ve been operating my entire life under a fundamental misunderstanding of a very basic mathematical concept.
Here’s what happened:
My family and I are biking to the Davis Farmer’s Market on Saturday morning when my younger son (age 12) objects to our route. Rather than going due east on our street and then taking a right turn to head due south to our destination, I’m taking us on a series of rights and lefts—zigzagging, in other words. “This takes longer than just going straight out and making one turn,” he says.
“I don’t know that it’s any faster,” I concede, “but it’s certainly shorter.”
“What?” he says. “No, mom. It’s the same distance.” ... Zigzagging My Way Through Life
This weekend I was astonished to learn that I’ve been operating my entire life under a fundamental misunderstanding of a very basic mathematical concept.
Here’s what happened:
My family and I are biking to the Davis Farmer’s Market on Saturday morning when my younger son (age 12) objects to our route. Rather than going due east on our street and then taking a right turn to head due south to our destination, I’m taking us on a series of rights and lefts—zigzagging, in other words. “This takes longer than just going straight out and making one turn,” he says.
“I don’t know that it’s any faster,” I concede, “but it’s certainly shorter.”
“What?” he says. “No, mom. It’s the same distance.” ...