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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)

 May 4, 2015

Best Answer 

 #1
avatar+33603 
+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

.

 May 4, 2015
 #1
avatar+33603 
+10
Best Answer

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
avatar+118587 
0

WOW!    WOW!    WOW!

Only 42 folds.

That is incredible.   

Maybe the moon is closer than I thought   LOL

 

Thanks Alan     

 May 4, 2015
 #3
avatar
+5

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

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQPiV_cauyI

 May 4, 2015
 #4
avatar+118587 
0

Of course I will fly to the moon with you!    

 May 4, 2015

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