Editing 247: Factoring the Time
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
− | + | [[Cueball]] is bored and so he does prime factorize the time shown at the clock. He's been doing this for almost two hours (from 1:00 pm to 2:53 pm). The number 2 is the smallest prime but 253 is in fact not a prime because it can be divided by 11. His co-worker is likely annoyed at this inactivity, and so he switches the clock from 12-hour time (2:53 pm) to 24-hour time (14:53). This makes factorization more difficult, as the time now shown is a four digit number rather than a three digit number. The number 1,453 is a prime number as well, but Cueball has only one minute to solve this. | |
− | + | This comic is also a play on the phrase "factoring the time", which means taking time to make sure one has sufficient time. | |
− | + | The title text refers to a similar challenge involving mile markers. At highway speeds (60+ mph), they would show up at least once per minute. Combined with the distraction of driving, factorizing numbers in time becomes much more difficult. | |
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==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
− | :[One man is sitting at a computer. Cueball sits at a separate desk. There is a clock | + | :[One man is sitting at a computer. Cueball sits at a separate desk. There is a clock which reads 2:53.] |
:Cueball: 253 is 11x23 | :Cueball: 253 is 11x23 | ||
:Man at computer: What? | :Man at computer: What? | ||
:Cueball: I'm factoring the time. | :Cueball: I'm factoring the time. | ||
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:Cueball: I have nothing to do, so I'm trying to calculate the prime factors of the time each minute before it changes. | :Cueball: I have nothing to do, so I'm trying to calculate the prime factors of the time each minute before it changes. | ||
:Cueball: It was easy when I started at 1:00, but with each hour the number gets bigger | :Cueball: It was easy when I started at 1:00, but with each hour the number gets bigger | ||
:Cueball: I wonder how long I can keep up. | :Cueball: I wonder how long I can keep up. | ||
− | + | :[Man at desk reaches back and touches the clock.] | |
− | :[ | ||
:''BEEP'' | :''BEEP'' | ||
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:[Clock now reads 14:53.] | :[Clock now reads 14:53.] | ||
:Cueball: Hey! | :Cueball: Hey! | ||
:Man at computer: Think fast. | :Man at computer: Think fast. | ||
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+ | ==Trivia== | ||
+ | *There is a [http://www.apple.com/downloads/dashboard/status/xkcdtimefactorisation.html widget for OS X] to display the current time and its prime factors. | ||
{{comic discussion}} | {{comic discussion}} | ||
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]] | ||
− | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Math]] |
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