Math Is Fun Forum

DaveRobinsonUK

Member

Registered: 2010-04-24

Posts: 123

Slot Cars

Hi Guys

I was just watching a program where there was some slot car racing. They said the cars were 1:32 scale. And then they raced down the track and measured the speed. When the speed was recorded they multiplied it by 32 and came out with values around 6-900 MPH.

This seems incorrect to me, what do you think?

Dave

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Can feel it coming together.. Slowly but Surely

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Slot Cars

900 mph is a little fast!

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In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

Bob

Administrator

Registered: 2010-06-20

Posts: 10,626

Re: Slot Cars

Hi Dave

I think that's wrong.  Just because the model is built to a scale why should it be ok to scale the speed similarly.

The recorded speed is the speed.  No scaling necessary or appropriate.

Otherwise when I put my daughter's Sindy doll in my son's Millenium Falcon and throw them together across the room, they are travelling at different speeds ????

And if I have a Porsche made that is twice the normal size, I don't think the police will accept that argument when I'm caught speeding.

You were right to be suspicious.

Bob

ps. Apologies for the non-politically-correct choice of toys.  But don't blame me;  it's what they wanted.

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Children are not defined by school ...........The Fonz
You cannot teach a man anything;  you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
Sometimes I deliberately make mistakes, just to test you!  …………….Bob

DaveRobinsonUK

Member

Registered: 2010-04-24

Posts: 123

Re: Slot Cars

Hi Bobby and Bob

Yes I thought it was very wrong. Just wanted to discuss the matter and clarify it with the dudes.

Also it crashed and flew about 2m into the air. So by their reckoning that's 192m or 629.921ft

Fantastic!

Hows things anyway? Hope all is well with you both.

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Can feel it coming together.. Slowly but Surely

DaveRobinsonUK

Member

Registered: 2010-04-24

Posts: 123

Re: Slot Cars

Oops was thinking about something else when i worked that out

64m and 209.973ft

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Can feel it coming together.. Slowly but Surely

Bob

Administrator

Registered: 2010-06-20

Posts: 10,626

Re: Slot Cars

Hi Dave,

Good to hear from you.  I'm fine.  In the throws of decorating the lounge ... and relatives, 2 + 3 kids,  want to come and stay.

Where to put everything? Now if I could scale things a bit (selectively of course)

Hhhhmmmm. 

Bob

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Children are not defined by school ...........The Fonz
You cannot teach a man anything;  you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
Sometimes I deliberately make mistakes, just to test you!  …………….Bob

DaveRobinsonUK

Member

Registered: 2010-04-24

Posts: 123

Re: Slot Cars

Cool, good to hear you are o.k

Yes some scaling sounds like it would be just the job.

Things are still the same here, got an interview on the 4th. Not that bothered about it to be honest. IT Dogsbody, Bahhh!! Rubbish! . So i've started to work on building a Chroma Key program in MATLAB. Far more interesting.

Dave

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Can feel it coming together.. Slowly but Surely

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Slot Cars

Hi Dave;

How is is it going?

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In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.