# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=602 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 603 --- ## [A Math Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-math-question/811323)
**Author:** [@Steven\_Estes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Estes)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2018, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-math-question/811323 "2018-03-29T17:18:33Z")
A Math Question I am far from certain that I understand the point of Yitang Zhang’s recent (2017) prime number discovery. Is this correct? If you go out far enough on the number line, you’ll get to a gap of, say, a… --- ## [Save for 2,3,5,7, is there any known PAIR of twin prime numbers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/save-for-2-3-5-7-is-there-any-known-pair-of-twin-prime-numbers/811393)
**Author:** [@Steven\_Estes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Estes)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2018, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/save-for-2-3-5-7-is-there-any-known-pair-of-twin-prime-numbers/811393 "2018-03-29T15:56:55Z")
Save for 2,3,5,7, is there any known PAIR of twin prime numbers? (I.e., If 9 were prime, 3.5.7.9 would be an example.) Or has it been proven that there couldn’t be ? --- ## [Do plasma TVs fade over time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-plasma-tvs-fade-over-time/811301)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2018, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-plasma-tvs-fade-over-time/811301 "2018-03-28T23:41:40Z")
I have a 50" Panasonic plasma TV that I purchased some years ago. I really don’t remember when, but it was when Best Buy had a sale on plasma HDTV with a Blu-ray player for about $1000. It was a heck of a deal and I j… --- ## [History of expression "armed for bear?" Other languages have shorthand/slang for packing heat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-of-expression-armed-for-bear-other-languages-have-shorthand-slang-for-packing-heat/811182)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2018, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-of-expression-armed-for-bear-other-languages-have-shorthand-slang-for-packing-heat/811182 "2018-03-28T19:03:15Z")
First query is a spinoff from a very informative thread on what to do when running across a bear. Not asking here (or was it asked there per se) just what firearms one might carry when meeting bears. But the expression… --- ## [Why do soft cookies go stale by becoming harder, but hard cookies go stale by becoming softer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-soft-cookies-go-stale-by-becoming-harder-but-hard-cookies-go-stale-by-becoming-softer/811151)
**Author:** [@Steven\_Estes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Estes)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2018, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-soft-cookies-go-stale-by-becoming-harder-but-hard-cookies-go-stale-by-becoming-softer/811151 "2018-03-28T17:56:08Z")
Why do soft cookies go stale by becoming harder, but hard cookies go stale by becoming softer? --- ## [Reverse Twin Paradox](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reverse-twin-paradox/811283)
**Author:** [@Perderabo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Perderabo)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2018, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reverse-twin-paradox/811283 "2018-03-28T17:36:36Z")
In the twin paradox, I can hop on a spaceship, cruise around at a high percentage of light speed, and return to Earth in a younger state than my twin. I want to do the reverse. I want to leave Earth, do something, and … --- ## [Police job ranks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-job-ranks/811101)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2018, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-job-ranks/811101 "2018-03-28T16:09:58Z")
Just saw NYPD Blue and a detective was promoted to sergeant. After the promotion he returned to working in the patrol group, wearing a uniform with a job as a supervisor. Is this realistic? I figured that being a de… --- ## [Can a famous person really get a table at a full restaurant?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-famous-person-really-get-a-table-at-a-full-restaurant/811140)
**Author:** [@Patch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patch)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2018, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-famous-person-really-get-a-table-at-a-full-restaurant/811140 "2018-03-28T15:47:33Z")
Did a search, didn’t find this. It bugs me when in TV/movies a big shot goes to a restaurant (sometimes where tables are booked months in advance!), and because of who they are, can get a table despite just walking in t… --- ## [To what extent are military planes designed to "look cool"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-are-military-planes-designed-to-look-cool/810464)
**Author:** [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2018, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-are-military-planes-designed-to-look-cool/810464 "2018-03-28T14:48:24Z")
Call it the stoner thought of the day. If you look at military planes, particularly fighter planes, from the Cold War era, there is a really noticeable difference between the American/Russian planes and the British plan… --- ## [Health Hazard of Sleeping with a Corpse \[animal remains brought in by cat\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-hazard-of-sleeping-with-a-corpse-animal-remains-brought-in-by-cat/811039)
**Author:** [@Zyanthia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyanthia)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2018, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-hazard-of-sleeping-with-a-corpse-animal-remains-brought-in-by-cat/811039 "2018-03-28T14:39:22Z")
It’s not really as bad as the title implies, but I was grossed out and took a really long shower after my incident. The sheets were in the washer with bleach immediately after showering. My fearless feline hunter caught… --- ## [What are the advantages of object oriented programming for a lone hobbyist coder?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-advantages-of-object-oriented-programming-for-a-lone-hobbyist-coder/811110)
**Author:** [@TwoCarrotSnowman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwoCarrotSnowman)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2018, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-advantages-of-object-oriented-programming-for-a-lone-hobbyist-coder/811110 "2018-03-28T14:28:10Z")
Hi everyone. I dithered between GQ and IMHO for this. I’m hoping there’s a somewhat definitive answer, or at least a consensus. :slight\_smile: I’m slowly teaching myself to program, using a mix of books, online courses … --- ## [Plugged bathroom sink, now unplugged. What the heck happened?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plugged-bathroom-sink-now-unplugged-what-the-heck-happened/811329)
**Author:** [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2018, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plugged-bathroom-sink-now-unplugged-what-the-heck-happened/811329 "2018-03-28T07:31:44Z")
I have 2 bathrooms, back to back. In bathroom 1, the sink was draining slow, so my SO used a plunger on it, improving the exit flow a bit. In the process, he managed to almost completely plug up the sink in bathroom 2. I… --- ## [Why are there "different languages" of the same language in certain countries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-different-languages-of-the-same-language-in-certain-countries/811228)
**Author:** [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2018, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-different-languages-of-the-same-language-in-certain-countries/811228 "2018-03-28T04:21:07Z")
I guess the most common example is UK English and US English. Only thing I can think of off the top of my head is they spell color like “colour”. But UK English and US English is pretty much the same exact English in my… --- ## [Why do MP3s degrade on a USB stick in a car?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-mp3s-degrade-on-a-usb-stick-in-a-car/811192)
**Author:** [@AlonzoSWhitebeard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlonzoSWhitebeard)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2018, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-mp3s-degrade-on-a-usb-stick-in-a-car/811192 "2018-03-28T04:10:04Z")
A couple of months ago, I ripped a selection of albums from YouTube as MP3s, put them all on a USB stick, and plugged that into the socket on my car. Cars these days seem to recognise external drives and happily play mus… --- ## [Claiming a Patent from repurposed goods.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/claiming-a-patent-from-repurposed-goods/810396)
**Author:** [@Osano](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Osano)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2018, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/claiming-a-patent-from-repurposed-goods/810396 "2018-03-28T03:51:37Z")
What is the legality of making an invention/patent using parts from another companies product? Say I were to take components off of an iphone and frankenstein a new piece of technology. Or in the other scenario, what i… --- ## [Controlling Mac display brightness via keyboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controlling-mac-display-brightness-via-keyboard/811316)
**Author:** [@zombywoof](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zombywoof)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2018, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controlling-mac-display-brightness-via-keyboard/811316 "2018-03-28T03:32:50Z")
I have an iMac (“mid-2010”), OS X 10.11.6…its “Magic” bluetooth keyboard crapped out so I am using an older Apple USB keyboard (A1048) with it. Is there any way to map some key combinations to control the display bright… --- ## [Blu-ray Title Wrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blu-ray-title-wrong/811235)
**Author:** [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2018, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blu-ray-title-wrong/811235 "2018-03-27T23:28:38Z")
I bought a new Justice League Blu-ray last weekend from a legit retail store. When I put it in the player the title says “Dragon Ball (unreadable characters) gt”. I’ve returned it once and the new one is the same. The d… --- ## [How long for the fastest computer to multiply two numbers whose product is a 30-digit number.?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-for-the-fastest-computer-to-multiply-two-numbers-whose-product-is-a-30-digit-number/811243)
**Author:** [@Steven\_Estes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Estes)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2018, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-for-the-fastest-computer-to-multiply-two-numbers-whose-product-is-a-30-digit-number/811243 "2018-03-27T21:14:12Z")
COMPUTER QUESTION: How long does it take the fastest current computer to multiply two numbers whose product is a thirty-digit number? I realize that it would take even the fastest current computer, say, millions of year… --- ## [Which dogs shed the most?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-dogs-shed-the-most/811127)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2018, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-dogs-shed-the-most/811127 "2018-03-27T19:34:34Z")
I have a Dachshund - Basset mix, he’s somewhat smaller than a Beagle, but larger than a Dachshund, so I guess small, but not mini size. He has short hairs and doesn’t really shed that much and unless you hug him, you pro… --- ## [Door that swings in - how is that OK with fire code?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/door-that-swings-in-how-is-that-ok-with-fire-code/811236)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2018, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/door-that-swings-in-how-is-that-ok-with-fire-code/811236 "2018-03-27T18:22:08Z")
Went to my credit union today and one of the exterior doors swings in. I thought all doors had to swing out due to fire codes. I have seen this at a bagel shop too. I am in NC if it matters but I think fire codes a… --- ## ['It was invented in Russia!'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-was-invented-in-russia/809548)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2018, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-was-invented-in-russia/809548 "2018-03-27T17:57:12Z")
On Star Trek Ensign Checkov liked to claim well-known things were invented in Russia. Where did this come from? I have a vague memory of hearing something about the Soviet Union claiming to have invented the Douglas DC… --- ## [Is there an opposite to SAD?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-opposite-to-sad/781001)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2018, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-opposite-to-sad/781001 "2018-03-27T13:39:11Z")
The thread in MPSIMS about SAD reminded me that I’d been thinking about asking a question: is there an opposite to SAD? Personally, I prefer grey skies and short days, especially with snow coming down. That’s my perfect… --- ## [Legality of Oral Sex in various countries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legality-of-oral-sex-in-various-countries/586898)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2018, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legality-of-oral-sex-in-various-countries/586898 "2018-03-27T13:16:52Z")
I recall as a teen that certain types of sex were considered illegal. Sodomy laws for example, are still on the books in many states. IIRC oral sex was also illegal in many (most??) U.S. states. Did this apply to both f… --- ## [Why do hybrid drives only have 8gb of flash storage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hybrid-drives-only-have-8gb-of-flash-storage/811229)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2018, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hybrid-drives-only-have-8gb-of-flash-storage/811229 "2018-03-27T08:26:44Z")
I’m noticing some hybrid drives that combine ssd and HDD only have 8gb for the flash drive part. Seeing that ssd memory is now only $0.25 a GB, why are they limited to 8 GB? Why don’t hybrid drives have 32 or 64gb of ss… --- ## [Where Does Water Come From?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-water-come-from/811224)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2018, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-water-come-from/811224 "2018-03-27T07:33:06Z")
Recently, I have been buying the Liter bottle of Evian water. It claims to be from the French Alps. And I think it tastes good. Anyway, clearly many Liters of Evian are sold, certainly everywhere in the United States, i… --- ## [Why does some hair lengthen indefinitely, while other hair reaches a certain length, and then stops?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-some-hair-lengthen-indefinitely-while-other-hair-reaches-a-certain-length-and-then-stops/811189)
**Author:** [@Steven\_Estes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Estes)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2018, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-some-hair-lengthen-indefinitely-while-other-hair-reaches-a-certain-length-and-then-stops/811189 "2018-03-26T22:21:29Z")
Why does the hair on some parts of your body lengthen indefinitely, while the hair on other parts of your body reaches a certain length, and then stops? --- ## [Getting multiple instance of the same cable channel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-multiple-instance-of-the-same-cable-channel/809557)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2018, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-multiple-instance-of-the-same-cable-channel/809557 "2018-03-26T20:59:59Z")
I understand that there are timeshifted channels, so a network may come up twice and be listed as NET and NET-W. Or one channel for HD and one for standard. This is not what I am asking about. Some of my channels come … --- ## ["Swallowed" L-sound in American English](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swallowed-l-sound-in-american-english/310357)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2018, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swallowed-l-sound-in-american-english/310357 "2018-03-26T20:34:18Z")
For many years I’ve noticed the “swallowed” L sound in the accents of some Americans. I’m not really sure how to describe it, but if you have ever heard former baseball star Pete Rose talk, I’m sure you’ve heard it. With… --- ## [Before Modernization, How Did You Get Salt If You Don't Live Near The Ocean/A Salt Mine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/before-modernization-how-did-you-get-salt-if-you-dont-live-near-the-ocean-a-salt-mine/811164)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2018, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/before-modernization-how-did-you-get-salt-if-you-dont-live-near-the-ocean-a-salt-mine/811164 "2018-03-26T20:30:14Z")
Like how would Charles Ingalls have gotten salt for preserving his meats? Pepin, Wisconsin is hundreds of miles from the ocean (or any other naturally-occurring salt water), and AFAIK the number of salt mines in the regi… --- ## [KVM switches and Proposition 65 Warnings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kvm-switches-and-proposition-65-warnings/811172)
**Author:** [@edwardcoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwardcoast)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2018, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kvm-switches-and-proposition-65-warnings/811172 "2018-03-26T19:29:30Z")
I’m looking for a 2 port HDMI switch. I’m looking at the KVM HDMI switches on newegg.com and all the ones I looked at have a Proposition 65 Warning which states: WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals includi… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=601) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=603)