Comments on: Math Is Like…Hard? http://toolmonger.com/2008/05/01/math-is-likehard/ All tools. All the time. Your source for news, information, and reviews of hand tools, power tools, and tools of all kinds. Mon, 21 Jul 2008 01:14:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: Teacher http://toolmonger.com/2008/05/01/math-is-likehard/#comment-299341 Sat, 03 May 2008 03:05:25 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/05/01/math-is-likehard/#comment-299341 I have my physics students do some triangulation every year to determine the distance between two points without a direct measure. Usually the distance across a field or something similar. One restriction is a "dead line" they can't cross to get closer to the other point. We use transits made from pieces of 1x12, rulers, three pencils or sharpened pieces of dowel. Most results are off by less than 5% and almost all are within 7%. With some practice, many get within 3%. I have my physics students do some triangulation every year to determine the distance between two points without a direct measure. Usually the distance across a field or something similar. One restriction is a “dead line” they can’t cross to get closer to the other point. We use transits made from pieces of 1×12, rulers, three pencils or sharpened pieces of dowel. Most results are off by less than 5% and almost all are within 7%. With some practice, many get within 3%.

]]> by: PutnamEco http://toolmonger.com/2008/05/01/math-is-likehard/#comment-298804 Fri, 02 May 2008 18:46:03 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/05/01/math-is-likehard/#comment-298804 Re; Fred said: Try using a laser rangefinder on a bushy blue spruce on a sunny day and see what you get for accuracy. ---- My educated eye is usually good for +/- 6' (I've been dropping trees for 25 years) Bosch DLR165K is good for less than an inch if I can get a good spot. Leica CRF 900 is accurate +/- 3 ft [usually spot on] on trees over 30ft. and if I want to get silly. ww w.leica-geosystems.com/corporate/en/ndef/lgs_5574.htm It's the wind that makes it fun. Just as easy to climb the spruce and top it, to be sure it fits in the fall zone. ------------------------ Re: Scraper Says: Why don’t you just cut the tree down and measure it on the ground with a tape measure. It may seem like overkill, but I bet you will get a pretty accurate number. heard a joke about that once Two blonde guys were standing at the base of a flagpole, looking up. A woman walked by and asked them what they were doing. "We're supposed to measure the height of this flagpole," said blonde guy number one, "but we don't have a ladder." The woman took a wrench from her purse and loosened some bolts. The guys helped her lay down the flagpole. Then the woman got a tape measure from her pocket, took a measurement and said, "Eighteen feet, six inches," and walked away. Blonde guy number two shook his head and laughed. "Isn't that just like a girl? We ask for the height and she gives us the length!" Re;
Fred said:
Try using a laser rangefinder on a bushy blue spruce on a sunny day and see what you get for accuracy.
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My educated eye is usually good for +/- 6′ (I’ve been dropping trees for 25 years)
Bosch DLR165K is good for less than an inch if I can get a good spot.
Leica CRF 900 is accurate +/- 3 ft [usually spot on] on trees over 30ft.
and if I want to get silly.
ww w.leica-geosystems.com/corporate/en/ndef/lgs_5574.htm

It’s the wind that makes it fun.

Just as easy to climb the spruce and top it, to be sure it fits in the fall zone.
————————
Re:
Scraper Says:

Why don’t you just cut the tree down and measure it on the ground with a tape measure. It may seem like overkill, but I bet you will get a pretty accurate number.

heard a joke about that once

Two blonde guys were standing at the base of a flagpole, looking up. A woman walked by and asked them what they were doing. “We’re supposed to measure the height of this flagpole,” said blonde guy number one, “but we don’t have a ladder.” The woman took a wrench from her purse and loosened some bolts. The guys helped her lay down the flagpole. Then the woman got a tape measure from her pocket, took a measurement and said, “Eighteen feet, six inches,” and walked away. Blonde guy number two shook his head and laughed. “Isn’t that just like a girl? We ask for the height and she gives us the length!”

]]> by: Scraper http://toolmonger.com/2008/05/01/math-is-likehard/#comment-298659 Fri, 02 May 2008 16:39:03 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/05/01/math-is-likehard/#comment-298659 Why don't you just cut the tree down and measure it on the ground with a tape measure. It may seem like overkill, but I bet you will get a pretty accurate number. Why don’t you just cut the tree down and measure it on the ground with a tape measure. It may seem like overkill, but I bet you will get a pretty accurate number.

]]> by: fred http://toolmonger.com/2008/05/01/math-is-likehard/#comment-298387 Fri, 02 May 2008 12:35:24 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/05/01/math-is-likehard/#comment-298387 The stick (or even pencil) method for estimating heights actually relies on the concept of similar triangles. Try using a laser rangefinder on a bushy blue spruce on a sunny day and see what you get for accuracy. The stick (or even pencil) method for estimating heights actually relies on the concept of similar triangles.

Try using a laser rangefinder on a bushy blue spruce on a sunny day and see what you get for accuracy.

]]> by: PutnamEco http://toolmonger.com/2008/05/01/math-is-likehard/#comment-297829 Fri, 02 May 2008 04:24:38 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/05/01/math-is-likehard/#comment-297829 Re: Fred says but setting up the “problem” so you can accurately estimate tree heights with no buildings as frames ---------------- Old loggers trick of using a stick to measure treefall illustrated in link - under tree height measurement. ww w.americanforests.org/resources/bigtrees/measure.php if your going to do it often get yourself a "cruisers stick" ww w.forestry-suppliers.com/product_pages/View_Catalog_Page.asp?mi=1441# Moderation bots suck add http followed by :// and then take the space out from between ww w. Re: Fred says
but setting up the “problem” so you can accurately estimate tree heights with no buildings as frames
—————-
Old loggers trick of using a stick to measure treefall illustrated in link - under tree height measurement.
ww w.americanforests.org/resources/bigtrees/measure.php

if your going to do it often get yourself a “cruisers stick”
ww w.forestry-suppliers.com/product_pages/View_Catalog_Page.asp?mi=1441#

Moderation bots suck
add http followed by :// and then take the space out from between ww w.

]]> by: PutnamEco http://toolmonger.com/2008/05/01/math-is-likehard/#comment-297781 Fri, 02 May 2008 03:46:00 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/05/01/math-is-likehard/#comment-297781 Re; Fred Says: My construction calculator works fine... ----------- There is something to be said for knowing the math. But there is also something to be said for doing it the gadget freaks way. ============ but setting up the “problem” so you can accurately estimate tree heights with no buildings as frames of reference takes knowing the underlying geometry and trigonometry. ------ All it takes is whipping out a laser rangefinder. Re;
Fred Says:
My construction calculator works fine…
———–
There is something to be said for knowing the math. But there is also something to be said for doing it the gadget freaks way.
============
but setting up the “problem” so you can accurately estimate tree heights with no buildings as frames of reference takes knowing the underlying geometry and trigonometry.
——
All it takes is whipping out a laser rangefinder.

]]> by: Fred http://toolmonger.com/2008/05/01/math-is-likehard/#comment-297654 Fri, 02 May 2008 02:06:19 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/05/01/math-is-likehard/#comment-297654 My construction calculator works fine - but setting up the "problem" so you can accurately estimate tree heights with no buildings as frames of reference takes knowing the underlying geometry and trigonometry. The same is true for using a transit to calculate distance. The Romans, great engineers that they were could calculate the width of a river without the need to cross it - just using some simple triangulation. My construction calculator works fine - but setting up the “problem” so you can accurately estimate tree heights with no buildings as frames of reference takes knowing the underlying geometry and trigonometry. The same is true for using a transit to calculate distance. The Romans, great engineers that they were could calculate the width of a river without the need to cross it - just using some simple triangulation.

]]> by: PutnamEco http://toolmonger.com/2008/05/01/math-is-likehard/#comment-297456 Thu, 01 May 2008 23:18:13 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/05/01/math-is-likehard/#comment-297456 Re: fred Says: May 1st, 2008 at 3:18 pm Trig comes in handy many time when the calculator will not. -- You can get trig functions in a construction calculator. www.calculated.com/4/prd102/Construction+Master+Pro+Trig.html Re:
fred Says:
May 1st, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Trig comes in handy many time when the calculator will not.
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You can get trig functions in a construction calculator.

www.calculated.com/4/prd102/Construction+Master+Pro+Trig.html

]]> by: fred http://toolmonger.com/2008/05/01/math-is-likehard/#comment-297323 Thu, 01 May 2008 21:18:26 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/05/01/math-is-likehard/#comment-297323 Trig comes in handy many time when the calculator will not. You can get a pretty good estimate of a tree's height via some simple triangulation. It sure beats climbing - and gives you a perspective before felling. Trig comes in handy many time when the calculator will not.
You can get a pretty good estimate of a tree’s height via some simple triangulation. It sure beats climbing - and gives you a perspective before felling.

]]> by: PutnamEco http://toolmonger.com/2008/05/01/math-is-likehard/#comment-297275 Thu, 01 May 2008 20:47:12 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/05/01/math-is-likehard/#comment-297275 I use a construction calculator. www.calculated.com/cat4/Construction+Calculators.html I didn't make it this far into the future for nothing, still waiting for my flying car and robot servant though. Still probably a good idea to know the math. I use a construction calculator.

www.calculated.com/cat4/Construction+Calculators.html

I didn’t make it this far into the future for nothing, still waiting for my flying car and robot servant though.

Still probably a good idea to know the math.

]]> by: Adam R http://toolmonger.com/2008/05/01/math-is-likehard/#comment-297271 Thu, 01 May 2008 20:44:25 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/05/01/math-is-likehard/#comment-297271 This might come in handy. Since I went through all the higher math, I can't remember how to do basic math. This might come in handy. Since I went through all the higher math, I can’t remember how to do basic math.

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