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Fortinbras Armstrong

(4,477 posts)

18. I'm thinking of a relevant question that crops up in computer programming

Reply to jtuck004 (Original post)

Mon Nov 25, 2013, 08:18 AM

Nov 2013

If you have a fence 100 feet long, with a post every ten feet, how many posts are there? See here for a brief discussion.

A related question is the banana problem, from the story of a little girl who said "I know how to spell 'banana', but I don't know when to stop".

I don't remember how many times in the last forty years I have stood at a whiteboard and explained DeMorgan's Laws to a puzzled programmer who couldn't see why his or her complicated IF statement didn't work.

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Why Smart People Are Stupid [View all] jtuck004 Nov 2013 OP

That's a pretty cheap bat and ball set Art_from_Ark Nov 2013 #1

"The first principle is that you must not fool yourself - and you are the easiest person to fool" Fumesucker Nov 2013 #2

Kahneman said in the interview that we are all too busy making mistakes to jtuck004 Nov 2013 #8

Isn't the problem speed? daleanime Nov 2013 #3

It was mentioned that Kahneman touches on that in his book jtuck004 Nov 2013 #7

Which can also depend on perception of the value of the question bhikkhu Nov 2013 #20

Counter to that is that smart people are liable to be open minded to criticism. delrem Nov 2013 #4

I am biased towards thinking... nikto Nov 2013 #5

And it is so beautiful when... nikto Nov 2013 #6

Sometimes though alternative arithmetic can lead to great art.. Fumesucker Nov 2013 #10

It's a rather simplistic test TexasProgresive Nov 2013 #9

That was the point, made at the link. The vast majorty of people see this as simplistic, jtuck004 Nov 2013 #12

Engineers think too much! Two Purdue engineer students (Joe & John) B Calm Nov 2013 #17

Fascinating. k&r for exposure. n/t Laelth Nov 2013 #11

Here's a good puzzle for you. Try and solve it: RBInMaine Nov 2013 #13

Even better riddle. jtuck004 Nov 2013 #15

5 cents? AAO Nov 2013 #14

I dont see where mi mis stakes are. liberal N proud Nov 2013 #16

I'm thinking of a relevant question that crops up in computer programming Fortinbras Armstrong Nov 2013 #18

Ironically, the author of the New Yorker piece in the OP, Jonah Leher, Tanuki Nov 2013 #19

Ironic. These words appear in the piece... jtuck004 Dec 2013 #21