Math Contest #18 Results and Solution

Solution

The problem of this contest was to find out how many times to fold a paper(1*10⁻⁴ m) to reach
a) the moon(3.8*10⁸ m)
b) the diameter of the observable universe(2*46.6*10⁹ ly = 8.82*10²⁶ m)
This can be done by dividing both lengths and finding the power of two that is closed, but bigger than the ration:
a)3.8*10⁸/10⁻⁴ = 3.8*10¹²
3.8*10¹² = 2^n | log₂()
n = log₂(3.8*10¹²) = 41.8 → you need to fold it at least 42 times to get to the moon.
b)8.82*10²⁶/10⁻⁴ = 8.82*10³⁰
n = log₂(8.82*10³⁰) = 102.8 → you need to fold it at least 103 times to get it through the entire observable universe.

Of course in reality no one would be able to fold a piece of paper that many times, but this is a good example of how powerful power functions really are.
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List of participants with their entries:

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Winner draw:

Congratulations @syalla you won 1 SBI!
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The next contest starts tomorrow. Don't miss it!