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# how many times do you have to fold a sheet of paper one sheet of a4 paper in order to reach the moon (theoretically speaking)

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how many times do you have to fold a sheet of paper one sheet of a4 paper in order to reach the moon (theoretically speaking)

Guest May 4, 2015

#1
+26329
+10

The average distance between the Earth and the Moon is 384400 km = 3.844*1011 mm

Paper thickness varies but typically it's of the order of 0.1 mm.

Folding the paper doubles the thickness every fold, so we have:

Thickness after n-folds = 0.1*2n mm

0.1*2n = 3.844*1011

n = log2(3.844*1012)

$${{log}}_{{\mathtt{2}}}{\left({\mathtt{3.844}}{\mathtt{\,\times\,}}{{\mathtt{10}}}^{{\mathtt{12}}}\right)} = {\mathtt{41.805\: \!745\: \!474\: \!760\: \!016}}$$

Since we must have an integer value for n, then n = 42

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Alan  May 4, 2015
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#1
+26329
+10

The average distance between the Earth and the Moon is 384400 km = 3.844*1011 mm

Paper thickness varies but typically it's of the order of 0.1 mm.

Folding the paper doubles the thickness every fold, so we have:

Thickness after n-folds = 0.1*2n mm

0.1*2n = 3.844*1011

n = log2(3.844*1012)

$${{log}}_{{\mathtt{2}}}{\left({\mathtt{3.844}}{\mathtt{\,\times\,}}{{\mathtt{10}}}^{{\mathtt{12}}}\right)} = {\mathtt{41.805\: \!745\: \!474\: \!760\: \!016}}$$

Since we must have an integer value for n, then n = 42

.

Alan  May 4, 2015
#2
+91038
0

WOW!    WOW!    WOW!

Only 42 folds.

That is incredible.

Maybe the moon is closer than I thought   LOL

Thanks Alan

Melody  May 4, 2015
#3
+5

Want to fly to the moon with me Melody? :)