The 41 second clock failure syndrome

[Baluncore]

I can accept that the answer may approach 42 asymptotically, and I can understand why in a digital system, it may fall short given insufficient observation time, but where is zero?

 

[sophiecentaur]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusee_(horology) can accept that the answer may approach 42 asymptotically, and I can understand why in a digital system, it may fall short given insufficient observation time, but where is zero?

It's not really relevant that the clock uses a digital system to provide pulses to to drive a motor. The same thing could happen with a mechanical clock with a spring. I would pursue this further but I don't have the time.
Or is this whole thread just a wind up?

 

[jedishrfu]

According to some sources, the meaning of 42 is rooted in the ASCII character set where 42 represents the code point for ‘*’ the asterisk which is used to reference every file or everything.

 

[anorlunda]

In any event, it's fun to separate the sf literate from illiterate using 42.

 

[gmax137]

In any event, it's fun to separate the sf literate from illiterate using 42.

Or, the musically literate:

On a slightly less technical plane, and as a person of some time on-planet, I offer a more worrisome supernatural explanation from a favored musician:

I was fortunate to see Doc Watson play a few times, just amazing. I'm not a guitar player but even I can hear how clear each note is.

The only other bit I have to add is this, normally seen in barber shops.

 

[DaveC426913]

In any event, it's fun to separate the sf literate from illiterate using 42.

I worked it out when I was a young lad:

6 x 9 does equal 42 ... In Base 13.

 

[hutchphd]

I was fortunate to see Doc Watson play a few times, just amazing.

I saw him play in the early 70's with his son Merle (at Antioch College in Ohio). What an extraordinary man.

 

[sophiecentaur]

42 represents the code point for ‘*’

If he'd used 2A then everyone would have got it!

 

[hutchphd]

Literati devotees of Kurt Vonnegut will recognize the "*" as Fundamental

Spoiler: Warning Literary Content

 

[DrGreg]

6 x 9 does equal 42 ... In Base 13.

For what it's worth, 42 days is exactly 10! seconds. (Ten factorial.)

 

[jedishrfu]

So I used simple factoring to show that 42 days has 10! seconds

42 days in seconds is 42 . 24 . 36 . 100: $2^8 . 3^4 . 5^2 . 7$

10! is 10 . 9 . 8 . 7 . 6 . 5 . 4 . 3 . 2 . 1 which is $2^8 . 3^4 . 5^2 . 7$

How did you come to learn this arcane factoid?

 

[DaveC426913]

42 days in seconds is 42 . 24 . 36 . 100: $2^8 . 3^4 . 5^2 . 7$

OK, I get this, but...

10! is 10 . 9 . 8 . 7 . 6 . 5 . 4 . 3 . 2 . 1 which is $2^8 . 3^4 . 5^2 . 7$

How do you get this? That doesn't seem to be a shortcut or anything: 256.81.25.7

 

[DrGreg]

How did you come to learn this arcane factoid?

I can't remember when I first saw this, but it stuck in my mind as another candidate for the Ultimate Question, "What is the smallest integer number of days that is an exact factorial number of seconds?"

$$\begin{align*}
&\frac
{42 \times 24 \times 60 \times 60}
{10 \times 9 \times 8 \times 7 \times 6 \times 5 \times 4 \times 3 \times 2 \times 1} \\
&= \frac{60}{10} \times \frac{1}{9} \times \frac{24}{8} \times \frac{42}{7 \times 6} \times \frac{60}{5 \times 4} \times \frac{1}{3 \times 2} \\
&= 6 \times \left( \frac{1}{9} \times 3 \times 1 \times 3 \right) \times \frac{1}{6} \\
&= 1
\end{align*}$$

 

[jedishrfu]

OK, I get this, but...

How do you get this? That doesn't seem to be a shortcut or anything: 256.81.25.7

I just prime factored the 10! Factors and counted up the 2s 3s 5s and 7s

2.5.3.3.2.2.2.7.2.3.5.2.2.3.2.1

You can think there are 5 even factors in 10! Hence five 2s But 8 gives you two more and 4 one more for a total of 8 2s or $2^8$ …

 

[billm]

I've not got an answer to your 41 second problem but it may be not dissimilar to the Thursday effect for grandfather clocks. This causes longcase clocks to stop on Thursdays* i.e. when the pendulum is the same length as the (hanging) weights causing a transfer of energy to the (swinging) weights if there is the slightest tendency for the clock to sway.
The standard cure is to put a match stick under the appropriate corner of the clock for which the clockmaker (or repairer) will charge five guineas.
*This, of course, is based on the normal rules of the household i.e. that the clock is wound up on a Sunday evening.

 

[DaveC426913]

So there's your answer @anorlunda : tilt your clock:

 

[berkeman]

So there's your answer @anorlunda : tilt your clock:

That'll be five guineas please...

 

[Andrea_Dubai]

my experience (about 30 years) with many clocks is that the stuck occurred at 44 seconds when the effort from 44 to 45 requires more energy and tend to increase. The effort from 45 to 46 tends to use the same energy but it moves to decreasing power needs. If the clock is able to move from 44 it is not guaranteed to achieve 45, but if it is able to move from 45, for sure it will reach a 46 and it will be able to 1 more clockwise round. However, and influencing parameter could be the threshold move of the second clock hand. I had a very 'smooth like' hand which stopped at 47 seconds in the past.