# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1040 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1041 --- ## [(1 + 1) = 1?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-1-1/731166)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2015, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-1-1/731166 "2015-09-17T02:20:01Z")
I saw this T-shirt: x = y x\[sup\]2\[/sup\] = xy x\[sup\]2\[/sup\] - y\[sup\]2\[/sup\] = xy -y\[sup\]2\[/sup\] (x + y)(x - y) = y(x - y) ((x + y)(x - y) / (x - y)) = (y(x - y) / (x - y)) \[therefore\] (x + y) = y If x = 1 and y = 1… --- ## [Portrait at Mt Wilson, 1931](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/portrait-at-mt-wilson-1931/731436)
**Author:** [@Lubricious\_Integument](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lubricious_Integument)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2015, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/portrait-at-mt-wilson-1931/731436 "2015-09-16T22:50:44Z")
Two of my heroes - Humason and Einstein - are posing with others in the library at Mt Wilson. Who is the dude in the portrait? --- ## [How Do Online People Search Sites Get Their Info?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-online-people-search-sites-get-their-info/731507)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2015, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-online-people-search-sites-get-their-info/731507 "2015-09-16T21:33:38Z")
I understand that their information is all public information that anyone can get by going down to the relevant government agencies or courts. But the question is how these sites get it into their online databases. It wo… --- ## [When was the U.S. Navy at its most powerful?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-u-s-navy-at-its-most-powerful/614164)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 169\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2015, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-u-s-navy-at-its-most-powerful/614164 "2015-09-16T20:21:32Z")
“Most powerful” defined as you see fit - for me, it’d be some combination of firepower and capacity for force projection around the globe. The Navy at the end of the Civil War was large, but it was almost entirely (unde… --- ## ["Aggressive Harassment?" Get ticket--pay fine--write "fuck your shitty town, bitches"--get arrested?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aggressive-harassment-get-ticket-pay-fine-write-fuck-your-shitty-town-bitches-get-arrested/661033)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2015, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aggressive-harassment-get-ticket-pay-fine-write-fuck-your-shitty-town-bitches-get-arrested/661033 "2015-09-16T19:06:22Z")
Guy gets ticketed in Liberty NY for speeding. Admits guilt. Sends in ticket and fine from his state, noting “Fuck your shitty town, bitches,” among other comments. Summoned and cuffed. What the hell? I’m sure the sent… --- ## [An Unicorn?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-unicorn/730948)
**Author:** [@joe.russell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joe.russell)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2015, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-unicorn/730948 "2015-09-16T18:02:56Z")
Whats the correct rule? I always thought any word that started with a vowel had to be ‘an’. So an apple, an umbrella. Are there exceptions like ‘a unicorn’? ‘An’ certainly doesnt sound right. --- ## [Are blacks allowed in Iceland?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-blacks-allowed-in-iceland/6426)
**Author:** [@Skeptic23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skeptic23)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2015, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-blacks-allowed-in-iceland/6426 "2015-09-16T17:17:58Z")
Someone I work with has just told me that when they were in the navy, some 30 years ago, they traveled to Iceland. When there, they were told that no “black people” would be allowed into their country. I find this very h… --- ## [Four Day Work Week](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-day-work-week/730717)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2015, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-day-work-week/730717 "2015-09-16T17:07:00Z")
Are there any plans in the works, by either companies or governments, to move from the standard 5 day work week in the US to a 4 day work week? We managed to go from a 6 day work week to a 5 day work week quite a while a… --- ## [How do the super obese physically eat enough food to reach their weight?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-the-super-obese-physically-eat-enough-food-to-reach-their-weight/729952)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2015, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-the-super-obese-physically-eat-enough-food-to-reach-their-weight/729952 "2015-09-16T16:58:27Z")
There have been people who weigh a thousand pounds, naturally at some point they became essentially totally immobile. But before this at some point they were burning calories. I’m having trouble visualizing the amount o… --- ## [Nikodym Set](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nikodym-set/731447)
**Author:** [@ricksummon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricksummon)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2015, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nikodym-set/731447 "2015-09-16T16:34:22Z")
The Nikodym set is a mathematical subset of the unit square that not only has the same area as the unit square, but every point in the set has a straight line that can be drawn through it without intersecting any other p… --- ## [How do I check missed calls on an LG A341 phone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-check-missed-calls-on-an-lg-a341-phone/731370)
**Author:** [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2015, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-check-missed-calls-on-an-lg-a341-phone/731370 "2015-09-16T16:02:11Z")
I have an LG A341 phone (flip phone - yes, I know it’s primitive and old, but I’m trying to learn to work it anyway.) I can figure out how to access my list of missed calls (by pressing the send/call key on the main men… --- ## ["Junkets" in Macau Casinos](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/junkets-in-macau-casinos/731390)
**Author:** [@Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tired_and_Cranky)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2015, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/junkets-in-macau-casinos/731390 "2015-09-16T15:53:27Z")
I just read the article below about a $258 million heist from a “junket” that is “operating inside the Wynn Macau casino.” The article suggests that the junket’s losses wouldn’t directly affect affect Wynn Macau but it d… --- ## [“As far as redheads go” vs. “As redheads go”: How are these two expressions nuanced in meaning?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-far-as-redheads-go-vs-as-redheads-go-how-are-these-two-expressions-nuanced-in-meaning/731439)
**Author:** [@Melia\_Antiqua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melia_Antiqua)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2015, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-far-as-redheads-go-vs-as-redheads-go-how-are-these-two-expressions-nuanced-in-meaning/731439 "2015-09-16T15:28:47Z")
I’m wondering if these two expressions are somehow nuanced in meaning? Any difference at all? Thank you very much. Woman: I don’t know. As far as redheads go, I’d say he’s about a hundred times cooler. Woman: I don’t k… --- ## [Misuse of prepositions: is there a name for this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misuse-of-prepositions-is-there-a-name-for-this/731416)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2015, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misuse-of-prepositions-is-there-a-name-for-this/731416 "2015-09-16T15:00:25Z")
I frequently hear people being interviewed on TV (especially reality shows) misusing prepositions, substituting incorrect ones in place of correct ones. Is there a name for this phenomenon? Unfortunately, I don’t have … --- ## [Traci Lords in Sept 1984 Penthouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traci-lords-in-sept-1984-penthouse/731301)
**Author:** [@filmteknik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmteknik)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2015, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traci-lords-in-sept-1984-penthouse/731301 "2015-09-16T14:15:43Z")
With Vanessa Williams being a judge at the Miss America pageant and getting that apology, I got to thinking about the September 1984 issue of Penthouse that first published the nude / erotic photos. In this same issue, … --- ## [Question about becoming a Detective](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-becoming-a-detective/731371)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2015, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-becoming-a-detective/731371 "2015-09-16T14:08:40Z")
Mostly from watching TV cop shows :rolleyes: I get the impression that the way you become a police detective is by working as a beat cop for some period of time and then applying to become a detective, which involves tak… --- ## [Oldest machines that are still in practical use](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-machines-that-are-still-in-practical-use/722508)
**Author:** [@dr\_zippermeyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dr_zippermeyer)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2015, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-machines-that-are-still-in-practical-use/722508 "2015-09-16T14:00:22Z")
Please give me examples of old machines that are still in use - not because of nostalgic value but because they are still doing their job so well they don’t need to be replaced or redesigned. For example the tractor of m… --- ## [What's the difference between an external SSD and a standard memory stick?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-an-external-ssd-and-a-standard-memory-stick/731360)
**Author:** [@TwoCarrotSnowman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwoCarrotSnowman)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2015, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-an-external-ssd-and-a-standard-memory-stick/731360 "2015-09-16T08:44:26Z")
Hi everyone. This sounds like a silly question… but if I bought a) an external USB3 Solid State Disk, such as one of these and b) a USB3 memory stick such as this, what are the technological differences between them? Th… --- ## [Roads signed as being in a different state than they are in](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roads-signed-as-being-in-a-different-state-than-they-are-in/731296)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2015, 8:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roads-signed-as-being-in-a-different-state-than-they-are-in/731296 "2015-09-16T08:42:46Z")
I was driving through the White Mountains today on ME-113. The road actually runs through New Hampshire for a while, but is still signed the whole way as Maine Rt. 113. Does this happen anywhere else? --- ## [What is up with YouTube's new "Like" button?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-up-with-youtubes-new-like-button/674622)
**Author:** [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2013, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-up-with-youtubes-new-like-button/674622 "2013-11-23T21:01:41Z")
YouTube has recently changed its “Like/Dislike” feature a bit. I mean, it still works the same old way, but it looks a little different. When you click “Dislike” (thumbs down), the thumb symbol gets darker. But when you … --- ## [So I want to start selling VOIP services](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-want-to-start-selling-voip-services/565043)
**Author:** [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2015, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-want-to-start-selling-voip-services/565043 "2015-09-16T07:23:31Z")
A couple of the local IT firms in my hood have been pushing into the VOIP services areas for smaller and smaller businesses. I have done a little googling and its kinda overwhelming. Basically I am looking for some kin… --- ## [Fictitious Entry](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictitious-entry/731441)
**Author:** [@Sheridan7272](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sheridan7272)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2015, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictitious-entry/731441 "2015-09-16T07:21:34Z")
Are there any fictitious streets or towns in Melbourne, Australia? On any map brand or whatever? Thanks --- ## [uploading iphone photos to Ebay question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uploading-iphone-photos-to-ebay-question/731437)
**Author:** [@GreenElf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenElf)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2015, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uploading-iphone-photos-to-ebay-question/731437 "2015-09-16T06:59:41Z")
My Kodak camera seems to no longer work, so I tried uploading photos from my iphone to Ebay today, which probably works better anyhow. For the first auction, I uploaded, or copied, the iphone photos to my email address a… --- ## ["different to" vs. "different from"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/different-to-vs-different-from/731394)
**Author:** [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2015, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/different-to-vs-different-from/731394 "2015-09-16T06:18:55Z")
I have been reading this great series of cyberpunk science fiction books. The author is very well-spoken and the books are utterly absorbing. There’s just one thing I don’t understand – whenever it comes to a place in … --- ## [What if you are fired but refuse to stop working legally?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-you-are-fired-but-refuse-to-stop-working-legally/731302)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2015, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-you-are-fired-but-refuse-to-stop-working-legally/731302 "2015-09-16T04:20:36Z")
I actually knew someone who felt a commission based job had ridiculous terms, was fired, but kept working for almost three months and got a bunch of clients for the business but was never paid commission they were owed. … --- ## [Joining the US Army as an officer out of college, Iraq War era](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joining-the-us-army-as-an-officer-out-of-college-iraq-war-era/731217)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2015, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joining-the-us-army-as-an-officer-out-of-college-iraq-war-era/731217 "2015-09-16T04:05:18Z")
A friend of mine is writing a novel. One of her characters\* is from what you might call old money. Guy went to Harvard and graduated in 2003. Did not want to go then to Wall Street.He goes into the US Army, and ended up … --- ## [Pull-Out force of lag screws](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-out-force-of-lag-screws/731146)
**Author:** [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2015, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pull-out-force-of-lag-screws/731146 "2015-09-16T01:44:27Z")
I’m mounting some antique street lights in my garage. The lights are about 20 pounds, and are at the end of 24" “masts” made out of 1-1/4" galvanized pipe. I used four 1/4 inch lag screws all the way through the 2X8 1960… --- ## [Id this snake?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-snake/731400)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2015, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-snake/731400 "2015-09-16T00:45:09Z")
Pic. Central South Carolina. --- ## [Question about pills/meds.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-pills-meds/731297)
**Author:** [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2015, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-pills-meds/731297 "2015-09-16T00:40:50Z")
If you have to take two big pills everyday, and after a few days they start to bother your stomach, is there any benefit to cutting them in half, (they are not time released!), and taking a half tablet four times a day? … --- ## [Is there something in quinine that may affect a pilot enough that there is a regulation against](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-something-in-quinine-that-may-affect-a-pilot-enough-that-there-is-a-regulation-against/731180)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2015, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-something-in-quinine-that-may-affect-a-pilot-enough-that-there-is-a-regulation-against/731180 "2015-09-15T23:45:39Z")
drinking it before flights? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1039) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1041)