Paradoxes can be so very interesting, so I thought It would be appropriate to start a little topic devoted to interesting paradoxes. For those who need a good explanation of a paradox, here is a wiki article on it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradox
Try to find paradoxes that are not listed here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_paradoxes
The paradox I have to share is one I read in a book called "Time". Here it is (self-explained):
You are a runner running a race. Now, to get to the finish line, you obviously must first reach the 50% mark. To reach the 50% mark, you must first reach the 25% mark. And so on. So, if for every point to reach there is another point you must reach first, how could the runner possibly run the race at all? One solution was that there could be such thing as a "minimum", which is a length so small it cannot be divided in half. However, if that was the case, the runner would pass the minimum in 0 time, meaning he would finish the race instantaneously. Then think of a race between a snail and light. Light travels at around 300,000 metres a second. A snail takes a few days to travel a kilometre. However, if the race is one minimum long, and both the snail and light start the race at the same time, who would win? They would both finish the race at the same time, despite the fact that light is hundreds of times faster.
Another paradox. A woman walks into a jewelery store. She see's 2 rings. A 100 dollar ring, and a 200 dollar ring. She decides to buy the 100 dollar thing. She gives the counter-guy 100 dollars, and takes the 100 dollar ring. She leaves the store. Later on, she returns, and said she'd actually like to return the 100 dollar ring and get the 200 dollar ring. She gives the counter-guy the 100 dollar ring, and receives the full 100 dollars back. She then demands the 200 dollar ring for 100 dollars. The counter-guy refuses, however she states "I have traded that ring for 100 dollars. So theoretically, I have already paid 100 dollars of that 200 dollars, by giving you that 100 dollar ring. The 200 dollar ring should now only be 100 dollars, as I have given you a 100 dollar ring to pay towards it." She takes the ring and leaves the store.
Give us yours!
-Rhys
Try to find paradoxes that are not listed here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_paradoxes
The paradox I have to share is one I read in a book called "Time". Here it is (self-explained):
You are a runner running a race. Now, to get to the finish line, you obviously must first reach the 50% mark. To reach the 50% mark, you must first reach the 25% mark. And so on. So, if for every point to reach there is another point you must reach first, how could the runner possibly run the race at all? One solution was that there could be such thing as a "minimum", which is a length so small it cannot be divided in half. However, if that was the case, the runner would pass the minimum in 0 time, meaning he would finish the race instantaneously. Then think of a race between a snail and light. Light travels at around 300,000 metres a second. A snail takes a few days to travel a kilometre. However, if the race is one minimum long, and both the snail and light start the race at the same time, who would win? They would both finish the race at the same time, despite the fact that light is hundreds of times faster.
Another paradox. A woman walks into a jewelery store. She see's 2 rings. A 100 dollar ring, and a 200 dollar ring. She decides to buy the 100 dollar thing. She gives the counter-guy 100 dollars, and takes the 100 dollar ring. She leaves the store. Later on, she returns, and said she'd actually like to return the 100 dollar ring and get the 200 dollar ring. She gives the counter-guy the 100 dollar ring, and receives the full 100 dollars back. She then demands the 200 dollar ring for 100 dollars. The counter-guy refuses, however she states "I have traded that ring for 100 dollars. So theoretically, I have already paid 100 dollars of that 200 dollars, by giving you that 100 dollar ring. The 200 dollar ring should now only be 100 dollars, as I have given you a 100 dollar ring to pay towards it." She takes the ring and leaves the store.
Give us yours!
-Rhys
