Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Fractals in the Frying Pan

I've been reading a few mathematical books lately: The Magical Maze and Mathematickles! (The latter might appeal even to the non-math-interested.) It has had me pondering ways in which a little mathematical analysis might be applied to motherhood.

For instance, there's the age old problem of Toddler, T, who takes one long nap (N1) and Baby, B, who takes four short naps (N2, N3, N4, N5). What are the odds of N1 coinciding with N2 . . . N5 such that Mother, M, can take N6?

The right formula might enable one to pin down precisely the least stressful phase of parenthood; probably that age at which "Chance of Toilet Accident" and "Interest in the Opposite Sex" are both closest to zero.

Then there are fractals--shapes in which the small parts look just like the big parts, if you zoom in closer. Like broccoli heads. Or frying hamburger. Only it's best not to zoom in too close to frying hamburger.

Meanwhile DOB is probably wondering why, if I like math so much, I can never remember to write checks down so he can keep the account balanced.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Get the carbon-copy checks. :-) Sure has helped me!

Queen of Carrots said...

We have them. For some reason that's doesn't count.

Queen of Carrots said...

I should clarify that I remembered why it doesn't count, it's because we also do electronic billing and used to use the debit card, neither of which show up in the carbon copies. But DOB took over the bill payments, and we moved away from the store that only took debit, so it has been much easier recently.