How many Planck lengths are there in a parsec?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the question of how many Planck lengths fit into a parsec, touching on the mathematical calculations involved and the use of external resources like Alexa for answers. The scope includes mathematical reasoning and some technical explanation regarding the definitions of the units involved.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express confusion over accessing a shared link related to Alexa's answer.
  • One participant suggests that spending money on an Amazon Echo Dot to hear Alexa's response is not appealing for a simple mathematical query.
  • Another participant mentions that both Planck length and parsec are well-defined lengths, questioning the notion of spurious precision in the context of the question.
  • A participant provides a calculation yielding approximately 1.9e+49, suggesting that the original poster should perform the calculation themselves using the values of Planck length and parsec.
  • There is a suggestion that the forum should not serve as a substitute for using a calculator or external resources.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best method to obtain the answer, with some preferring to use external devices like Alexa while others emphasize manual calculations. Disagreement exists regarding the necessity of using Alexa for such a straightforward mathematical task.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include potential issues with accessing shared links and the varying definitions of precision in mathematical contexts. The discussion does not resolve the question of how many Planck lengths are in a parsec.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in mathematical calculations involving fundamental physical constants and those curious about the use of technology in educational contexts may find this discussion relevant.

Bob Walance
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[Mentor's note: moved to GD because this is a thread about Alexa, not parsecs or Planck lengths]

I know it's a strange question. Here is Alexa's answer:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1hXYFT_zBnFy-N0BotiTSDL8_S6nHK3ns
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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Bob Walance said:
I know it's a strange question. Here is Alexa's answer:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1hXYFT_zBnFy-N0BotiTSDL8_S6nHK3ns
I can't see the link
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hmmm ... I'm able to see and follow my link even when I'm not logged in. I'm not sure why others can't

My math is fine and we're not allowed to upload mp3 files, so I guess this stops here.

Better yet -- spend $50 for an Amazon Echo Dot (you'll need a wifi network) and listen to Alexa's response for yourself. She's a lot fun and can be very educational.
 
phinds said:
I can't see the link
I can. I expect that this has something to do with being logged into Google Drive and/or how the sharing has been set up.
 
Hm.

"Alexa, what is standard form?"

"Alexa, what is spurious precision?"
 
Bob Walance said:
Better yet -- spend $50 for an Amazon Echo Dot (you'll need a wifi network) and listen to Alexa's response for yourself. She's a lot fun and can be very educational.
Spending $50 to learn how to multiply two numbers together doesn't seem all that appealing to me.
 
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Ibix said:
"Alexa, what is spurious precision?"
Spurious? They are both well-defined lengths...
She could have rounded, sure, but he didn't ask for approximately...
:-p
 
Ask Alexa how many electrons there are in a pint...
 
phinds said:
Spending $50 to learn how to multiply two numbers[/color] together doesn't seem all that appealing to me.
Uhm, maybe "...divide two numbers..."?
 
  • #10
I get ~1.9e+49 using google calculator and my crummy typing skills. The OP is asked to consider doing the same:
i.e, lookup both values then divide Planck length in meters (really small) into the number of meters in a parsec. Thread closed.

PF is not a preferred substitute for google calculator.
 
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