A group of researchers was studying how different people solve problems. They gathered a physicist, a mathematician, and an engineer and gave them each a problem: find the volume of a red sphere. The mathematician solves it first. Asked how, he explains that he used a simple formula. The physicist solves it next. Asked how, he explains that he submerged the sphere in water and measured the rise in water level. Hours later, they find the engineer buried in paperwork. Asked about his progress, he says “I can only find a table of values for the volume of blue spheres.”

[–] NaibofTabr@infosec.pub 158 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (14 children)

On further inspection, it was found that the mathematician had assumed an ideal sphere of constant radius, while the real object was in fact oblate. The mathematician had neglected to take any measurements, leading to an incorrect value. The physicist's answer was correct, but only at sea level at nominal temperature.

The engineer is currently using calipers to measure the diameter of the object at many different angles in order to build a CAD model. He said we could expect results next year.

[–] tyler@programming.dev 78 points 1 week ago (12 children)

The physicist’s answer would be correct anywhere, no matter the temperature or density of the fluid.

[–] montechristo@feddit.org 32 points 1 week ago

Supposing that the measurements with and without the sphere are taken under identical circumstances. But you deserve the upvote either way.

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