Can a Thin Line Really Slope to Zero?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of how the slope of a thin box changes as its width decreases, particularly exploring whether a sufficiently thin line can slope to zero. Participants are examining the relationship between the box's width, the angle of slope, and the process of continuous thinning.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that as the box gets thinner, the slope decreases, suggesting that if the thinning is constant, the slope could approach zero.
  • Others question the definition of "thinning" and the relationship between slope and width, indicating that without clear definitions, the question cannot be answered.
  • There is a discussion about the "rate of sloping" and how it might be defined, with some suggesting that as the height of the box is halved, the angular difference between steps becomes smaller.
  • One participant argues that even if the width is divided infinitely, it cannot reach zero, implying that the angle cannot reach zero either.
  • A mathematical analysis is introduced, proposing a linear relationship between the angle and the dimensions of the slab, contingent on certain assumptions about the dimensions involved.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of visual representation in understanding the relationships at play, noting that a good drawing can clarify the situation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the definitions and relationships involved in the discussion. There is no consensus on whether the slope can actually reach zero, and the relationship between width, angle, and the process of thinning remains contested.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of clear definitions for "thinning" and "rate of sloping," as well as unresolved mathematical relationships that depend on specific assumptions about the dimensions of the box and the slot.

adjacent
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Look at the image!As the box gets thinner,the slope of the box decreases.and I think, if the thinning is constant i.e.(It gets thinner by dividing it's width each step),the rate of sloping decreases.Is this right?
If the above is correct,The thinnest line should be able to slope to 0.
Am I right?It's so confusing.
 

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There's no way to answer your question as you haven't given the relation between the slope and this thinning, or even what you mean by "thinning".
 
the rate of sloping decreases
How is that "rate of sloping" defined?
If you fit boxes into that slit, and halve the height of the boxes in each step, the angular difference between two steps will become smaller.
If that slit has no height itself, the limit of zero height will have an angle of zero, indeed.
 
D H said:
There's no way to answer your question as you haven't given the relation between the slope and this thinning, or even what you mean by "thinning".
What relation?I mean thinning as the width of the box decreasing.

mfb said:
How is that "rate of sloping" defined?
If you fit boxes into that slit, and halve the height of the boxes in each step, the angular difference between two steps will become smaller.
If that slit has no height itself, the limit of zero height will have an angle of zero, indeed.
Sorry it's rate of decreasing angle.
But if even if we keep on dividing the width by two,you can't make the width zero.So the angle cannot reach zero.My question is can we divide it infinitely and is the "rate of decreasing angle" decreasing?
 
You have some relation in mind between width, angle, and step number. Until you tell us what those relations are there is no way to answer your questions. We can't read your mind!
 
D H said:
You have some relation in mind between width, angle, and step number. Until you tell us what those relations are there is no way to answer your questions. We can't read your mind!
See the slit in the image. I think the box is supposed to fit into that.

adjacent said:
Sorry it's rate of decreasing angle.
But if even if we keep on dividing the width by two,you can't make the width zero.So the angle cannot reach zero.My question is can we divide it infinitely and is the "rate of decreasing angle" decreasing?
See the middle part of my previous answer.
 
mfb said:
See the slit in the image. I think the box is supposed to fit into that.
You did a better job of reading adjacent's mind than did I. Even with what you said, that graphic still doesn't communicate one thing to me.
 
Here is a analysis of a slab with thickness h, in a slot length L, and depth h and τ is the angle between the slab and the slot.

Hope my drawing is readable, just a pencil sketch.

If we keep the L, the length of the slot much bigger then then depth of the slot and thickness of the slab we get a linear relationship:

τ= h/Q + d/Q

If we hold d constant, then the angle changes linearly with slope 1/Q and intercept d/Q. That means that if h=0 τ=d/q again this is with the assumption that L >> h and d
 

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Now you have read my mind integral!Thank you.You are so intelligent
 
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Thanks, but I think persistent is a better description. Note that the drawing was the key. I recorded the known quantities then examined the relationships until the key angles became clear. In general a good drawing is key to a solution.
 

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