LIFE TRACK SOLUTION

LIFE TRACK SOLUTION

Monday, July 01, 2013
 
  Though many of my coworkers disliked required classroom hours, I enjoyed the sessions, especially those that posed stimulating thought provoking problems. Last Friday’s DT question, “Is it possible to ride smoothly on a square wheeled bicycle?” is of the type we were challenged with. Here are the delightful responses from DT participants:
 
  “Not any more possible than to be a Christian and not have trials. Holly (NE)”

  “Through out the ages man has pondered this age old question...thinking back in the youth of my years and having carried you over hill and dale the only answer I can think of at this time is … he isn't heavy, he is my brother.  Al (KS)”

  “Well, let me see if my quirky mind meets somewhere with yours. Like the square wheeled bike has to get on a bumpy track to float a bit, our lives will oft times do the same thing [bump…float] hopefully learning by each bump how to stay on the narrow track, failing less and less, finding the Lord’s steady hand on our shoulder in both the bumps and the floating, attracting the lost to the Lord as we practice following the Lord’s Book of instructions. Darlene (NE)”

  “Possibly, if you're sliding or being drug….  Jodie (NE)”

  “This question is so easy I keep trying to think of what the trick is!  So, as the owner of a bike shop I have it on good authority that the answer is no.  Can a square even be considered to be a wheel - the dictionary says a wheel is a solid disk or circle.  Can't wait to see what the reason for the question is.
Cheri (NV)”

  “If you are going downhill and on ice! Sherri (NE)”

  “OK, now I see why you were verbally asking me if I'd answered today's question.  I am not sure if this question is about the bicycle or the surface or my perception of smooth. You probably could have a smooth ride from the top of an ice covered hill to the bottom, but where do you go from there? I can't wait to see the lesson on this one.  So far, I have not figured it out, but am confident you have one for us. Bless your heart, Joyce (NE)”

  “It all depends on the shape of the road  :) A square wheel can roll smoothly, keeping the axle moving in a straight line and at a constant velocity, if it travels over evenly spaced bumps of just the right shape. This special shape is called an inverted catenary. CK (NE)”

  The class question, like many others, was an engineering/machinist question. This part is unchangeable . . . how do you get it to work with __________? At times the instructor was referee as passionate persons would argue their belief. And of course there were the diehards that insisted we must round the wheels. Then there were the clock watchers hoping class would be interrupted by a fire drill.

  The correct technical answer is given by Chad: Since you cannot change Part A, Part B must be designed to accommodate Part A. This is done more often than people realize.

  God did so and continues to do so: Jesus explained it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And those that heard it said, “Who then can be saved?” And Jesus said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” (Lk.18:25-27)

  Jesus is The Only Redemption Road. There is no other. Without Him as the Way, life is square wheeled journey. (Jn.14:6; 15:5; Act.4:8-12; Rom.8:34; Eph.2:8)  EBB4

 
For you lovers of STEM problems: http://www.bing.com/search?q=inverted+catenary-square+wheel&qs=AS&form=QBLH&pc=MAGW&pq=inverted+catenary&sc=7-17&sp=4&sk=AS3