Silliness Quiz - Page 743

Shayne Parkinson · 03-10-2013, 05:23 PM

A snippet of trivia I came across in a magazine the other day:

Robert Recorde invented something that I think is familiar to us all. What was his invention? A bonus point for giving the year he shared it with the world, to within 25 years or so. Another point for his country of birth.

If this isn't swiftly answered by someone who just happens to know the answer, I'm sure the answer can be reached by some yes/no questions to narrow the field.

Bilbo1967 · 03-10-2013, 05:29 PM

The 'to within 25 years or so' makes me think it must have been some time ago. I assume it must be a fairly fundamental thing - perhaps something that people wouldn't immediately think of as being something a single person invented.

How about an item of clothing? Socks?

orlok · 03-10-2013, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bilbo1967

As the man with a steering wheel on his toilet said!

I can't believe that's the answer. If I was a little more supple I'd kick myself.

Pop round and we can take turns

Shayne Parkinson · 03-10-2013, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bilbo1967

The 'to within 25 years or so' makes me think it must have been some time ago. I assume it must be a fairly fundamental thing - perhaps something that people wouldn't immediately think of as being something a single person invented.

How about an item of clothing? Socks?

Not an item of clothing. And you're correct that it was some time ago.

Fat Abe · 03-10-2013, 05:41 PM

Shayne, is it something on this blackboard (but the writer is blocking it)?

Shayne Parkinson · 03-10-2013, 05:44 PM

If you could get her to move aside I could say for sure.

But it is indeed quite possible.

On a whim, here's an extra available point: give Recorde's country of birth.

Iznogood · 03-10-2013, 06:21 PM

On the blackboard there are a lot of summation signs. Did he invent the first mechanical calculator? About 1850? Born in France?

I'm just guessing here

Shayne Parkinson · 03-10-2013, 06:27 PM

Those are very good guesses! But unfortunately incorrect.

Earlier than 1850.

Iznogood · 03-10-2013, 06:29 PM

But it has something to do with maths? 1750?

Is it permitted to find the year first and then deduce what he invented?

Shayne Parkinson · 03-10-2013, 06:33 PM

It is indeed to do with maths (so Stitchawl may run away at this point). And yes, go for the year first if you like.

Earlier than 1750.

Iznogood · 03-10-2013, 06:36 PM

1650 then?

Was it a mathematical theorem or law or a very important mathemathical term (e.g. differentiation), or was it a physical "thingie"

Shayne Parkinson · 03-10-2013, 06:51 PM

You're getting closer!

Not a physical thingie. Earlier than 1650.

Fbone · 03-10-2013, 10:19 PM

Algebraic symbols in 1550?

Shayne Parkinson · 03-10-2013, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fbone

Algebraic symbols in 1550?

Very good! The date is 1557, so that's certainly close enough.

I'm looking for one particular mathematical symbol. And would you like to hazard his country of birth?

Stitchawl · 03-11-2013, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shayne Parkinson

It is indeed to do with maths (so Stitchawl may run away at this point). And yes, go for the year first if you like.

Earlier than 1750.

Stitchawl actually knew the answer to this one. As it didn't involve actual numbers, he was able to keep the information balanced in his brain... but he'll defer to one of the math mavens who really deserve the addition.

I have no difficulty with the 'idea' of math. I just can't handle the use of the actual numbers. They go floating around rather than staying where they are supposed to go between my brain and my hand. I see the number '3,' say the number '3,' then write something completely different. Same problem trying to punch numbers into a calculator or a telephone.

Stitchawl

03-10-2013, 05:23 PM	#11131
Shayne Parkinson Author Posts: 1,532 Karma: 5447804 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: New Zealand Device: Samsung Galaxy Tab	A snippet of trivia I came across in a magazine the other day: Robert Recorde invented something that I think is familiar to us all. What was his invention? A bonus point for giving the year he shared it with the world, to within 25 years or so. Another point for his country of birth. If this isn't swiftly answered by someone who just happens to know the answer, I'm sure the answer can be reached by some yes/no questions to narrow the field. Last edited by Shayne Parkinson; 03-10-2013 at 05:48 PM.

03-10-2013, 05:44 PM	#11136
Shayne Parkinson Author Posts: 1,532 Karma: 5447804 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: New Zealand Device: Samsung Galaxy Tab	If you could get her to move aside I could say for sure. But it is indeed quite possible. On a whim, here's an extra available point: give Recorde's country of birth. Last edited by Shayne Parkinson; 03-10-2013 at 05:47 PM.

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03-10-2013, 05:29 PM	#11132
Bilbo1967 Not scared! Posts: 13,424 Karma: 81011643 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Midlands, UK Device: Kindle Paperwhite 10, Huawei M5 10	The 'to within 25 years or so' makes me think it must have been some time ago. I assume it must be a fairly fundamental thing - perhaps something that people wouldn't immediately think of as being something a single person invented. How about an item of clothing? Socks?

03-10-2013, 05:41 PM	#11135
Fat Abe Man Who Stares at Books Posts: 1,816 Karma: 10606722 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: 50th State, USA. Also, PA, NY, CA, and elsewhere. Device: All of the Above	Shayne, is it something on this blackboard (but the writer is blocking it)?

03-10-2013, 06:21 PM	#11137
Iznogood Guru Posts: 932 Karma: 15752887 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Norway Device: Ipad, kindle paperwhite	On the blackboard there are a lot of summation signs. Did he invent the first mechanical calculator? About 1850? Born in France? I'm just guessing here

03-10-2013, 06:27 PM	#11138
Shayne Parkinson Author Posts: 1,532 Karma: 5447804 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: New Zealand Device: Samsung Galaxy Tab	Those are very good guesses! But unfortunately incorrect. Earlier than 1850.

03-10-2013, 06:29 PM	#11139
Iznogood Guru Posts: 932 Karma: 15752887 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Norway Device: Ipad, kindle paperwhite	But it has something to do with maths? 1750? Is it permitted to find the year first and then deduce what he invented?

03-10-2013, 06:33 PM	#11140
Shayne Parkinson Author Posts: 1,532 Karma: 5447804 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: New Zealand Device: Samsung Galaxy Tab	It is indeed to do with maths (so Stitchawl may run away at this point). And yes, go for the year first if you like. Earlier than 1750.

03-10-2013, 06:36 PM	#11141
Iznogood Guru Posts: 932 Karma: 15752887 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Norway Device: Ipad, kindle paperwhite	1650 then? Was it a mathematical theorem or law or a very important mathemathical term (e.g. differentiation), or was it a physical "thingie"

03-10-2013, 06:51 PM	#11142
Shayne Parkinson Author Posts: 1,532 Karma: 5447804 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: New Zealand Device: Samsung Galaxy Tab	You're getting closer! Not a physical thingie. Earlier than 1650.

03-10-2013, 10:19 PM	#11143
Fbone Is that a sandwich? Posts: 8,189 Karma: 100500000 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Nook Glowlight Plus	Algebraic symbols in 1550?

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