xkcd #2974: Storage Tanks - eviltoast

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We’re considering installing a pressurization system to keep the tanks at constant pressure solely to deter them.

https://explainxkcd.com/2974/

  • Hamartiogonic@sopuli.xyz
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    2 months ago

    Build a bund wall, and throw a pump in there as well. Then, just pump the liquid back into the tank to keep it full at all times. In order to deter mathematically inclined terrorists, use a variable frequency drive and make that frequency change every second. The problem becomes unsolvable.

    There are other options too. You could fill the tank with tar, any really thick slurry, molten sodium, hydrogen sulfide, 2-mercaptoethanol, propane just to name a few. Drill into a tank like that and you’ll regret that decision instantly.

    • agamemnonymous@sh.itjust.works
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      2 months ago

      As long as they can measure the frequency of the drive, some pervert is going to try to calculate the thing. Never underestimate the siren’s song of a familiar but tricky problem.

      • Hamartiogonic@sopuli.xyz
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        2 months ago

        Add a long pipe labyrinth so narrow it will cause turbulence and loose an unpredictable amount of energy that way. The mathematician who can predict how that mess works out gets a noble prize and a pack of drill bits.

    • where_am_i@sh.itjust.works
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      2 months ago

      Nah, since we’ve been doing proper analysis, we already derived everything from a topological standpoint. So, we’ll just open the chapter on measures and measurable functions, quickly extend them to a proper probabilistic framework, use a few standard inequalities to prove the CLT, and show that using the average flow in the PDE that we previously used can cause at most a delta error with a p<e.

      Next time make sure to design a chaotic defense system that is actually unsolvable. Adding simple uncertainty as a defense only encourages students to actually use their analysis skills.

      P.S. yes, kids, if you’ve been properly taught analysis, the rest of the math, and consequently all other sciences can be derived as an exercise. And literally all you need is to fully understand “Introduction to Real Analysis” by C. Heil. (it’s an intro text really as the name suggests)

      • Hamartiogonic@sopuli.xyz
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        2 months ago

        Good point. Sounds like it would be a good idea to replace the RNG chip with a weather station. This way, sunshine, wind, rain, temperature and other conditions control the frequency of the motor. Anyone who can predict that deserves a Nobel Price.