Editor: As I sit on a sunny porch...

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Editor:

As I sit on a sunny porch enjoying and pondering my post-work beer, I uncustomarily find the letters section the most interesting.

I am a “math-hobbyist” — most likely a red flag in a lot of circles. As I go through the the math of the two parties who seem to disagree on the value of the mug deal (“Last of the beer math saga,” Letters section, MG #95), they are both right. However, they are comparing apples and oranges. One calculates the every-time benefit of owning the mug, and the other calculates the pay-off time after purchasing the mug. Both are very basic computations.

What I noticed is that both Cochran and Kimball cite the y2mx+b equation. I am not certain who produced the graph you printed, but it certainly was not either of the two authors-in-question. The correct equation for the slope of a line is y=mx+b. My theory is Kimball met up with a math whiz at the bar and drew it up over a few beers. Trouble is, by the time they got to the bottom of the graph, and presumably a couple pitchers, he spaced the details that occurred at the top of the graph (and the pitcher). The equal sign in the equation does resemble a “2,” but the glaring mistake in both parties’ letters is interesting.

Much like the two students who make the same mistake on the same problem of a math test, the two authors have been caught cheating, using the work of the “smart guy” next to them. I suppose Mr. Cochran has some experience in this area, while Mr. Kimball has gotten away with it a little better through his life.

I do wish Mr. Cochran and his friends all the best in their job search. I wish I could put them to work, but I’m just not in that line of work. I’d be up for talking math over a few beers though.

By the views from the BV correctional facility, according to the locals, are “bewna,” not “buena.”

Porchin’ in the ‘Ville.

Don Stephens,

Leadville CO