# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=821 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 822 --- ## [Calculate probability of card distribution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calculate-probability-of-card-distribution/770641)
**Author:** [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2016, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calculate-probability-of-card-distribution/770641 "2016-11-05T14:03:55Z")
This is to work out the probability of an event occurring in a bridge hand. Aces are worth 4 points, kings 3, queens 2, and jacks 1. I can establish that my partner and I hold 33 points between us, and therefore the op… --- ## [How hazardous is medical oxygen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hazardous-is-medical-oxygen/770563)
**Author:** [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2016, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hazardous-is-medical-oxygen/770563 "2016-11-05T13:34:14Z")
I am caring for my father, who is at home on oxygen (he’s getting one liter per minute, although the machine can be set much higher than that). A home health care nurse told me that my father shouldn’t be in the kitchen … --- ## [rainbow in clouds seen from airplane](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rainbow-in-clouds-seen-from-airplane/770538)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2016, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rainbow-in-clouds-seen-from-airplane/770538 "2016-11-05T09:37:46Z")
No it wasn’t a glory. While flying on a sunny day with scattered clouds, I noticed that on rare occasions, the sun would reflect off of ponds or small lakes and if a cloud was in the right position and thin enough, I w… --- ## [Do all Sudoku puzzles have logical solutions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-all-sudoku-puzzles-have-logical-solutions/408132)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 122\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2016, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-all-sudoku-puzzles-have-logical-solutions/408132 "2016-11-05T08:41:49Z")
Discounting invalid puzzles that is -those that for the given clues are contradictory or have more than one possible solution. But for a sudoku with a single valid solution, is it guaranteed that the solution can be foun… --- ## [Any Disputed US State Borders?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-disputed-us-state-borders/770437)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2016, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-disputed-us-state-borders/770437 "2016-11-04T23:32:05Z")
Are there any state borders which are subject to dispute and uncertainty as to which state they belong to? And if there are - or if there theoretically would be - how would this be resolved? --- ## [If stored does packaged cocaine go bad over time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-stored-does-packaged-cocaine-go-bad-over-time/770418)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2016, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-stored-does-packaged-cocaine-go-bad-over-time/770418 "2016-11-04T21:00:52Z")
I saw this article about a stash of cocaine found in a mothballed airplane and wondered how long it would retain it’s potency over time. It’s an organic substance so I’m guessing it might be subject to some degradation… --- ## [Marketing jargon (need answer fast)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marketing-jargon-need-answer-fast/770624)
**Author:** [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2016, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marketing-jargon-need-answer-fast/770624 "2016-11-04T20:08:07Z")
Got a meeting in a little over three hours and am hoping to get an answer before that time. Is there a marketing jargon term or phrase that’s been coined for the following: McDonalds and Burger King each have 10,000 re… --- ## [Over the air broadcast television in the United Kingdom](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/over-the-air-broadcast-television-in-the-united-kingdom/770048)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2016, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/over-the-air-broadcast-television-in-the-united-kingdom/770048 "2016-11-04T19:39:20Z")
How does over the air broadcast television work in the United Kingdom? If I had a new television set with a decent aerial (antenna), how many television channels could I expect to watch in a big city? How does the televi… --- ## [Taste difference between rubbing alcohol and rectified spirits?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taste-difference-between-rubbing-alcohol-and-rectified-spirits/770621)
**Author:** [@Dr.Arthias](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Arthias)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2016, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taste-difference-between-rubbing-alcohol-and-rectified-spirits/770621 "2016-11-04T19:34:38Z")
Anyone have an educated guess (or personal experience) with this? Do they taste very similar or different? And is rubbing alcohol that much more poisonous/deadly/dangerous than the same volume of rectified spirits? If… --- ## [Starting a car company at age 22?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starting-a-car-company-at-age-22/624621)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2016, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starting-a-car-company-at-age-22/624621 "2016-11-04T19:27:10Z")
This 30-minute video provides an interesting tour of the Koenigsegg car factory in Sweden, where they hand-build high-performance sportscars. The company owner, Christian von Koenigsegg, says early in the video that he … --- ## [PVC DWV Leak Repair](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pvc-dwv-leak-repair/770587)
**Author:** [@ishamael69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ishamael69)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2016, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pvc-dwv-leak-repair/770587 "2016-11-04T19:23:23Z")
Hello everyone (especially FluffyBob :-)! The plumber finished the DWV system today, plugged it with a ball valve, filled with water, called for inspection tomorrow, and left. (I was not home, but I assume this was the… --- ## [Is one legally required to change their voting registration address when moving between states](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-one-legally-required-to-change-their-voting-registration-address-when-moving-between-states/770552)
**Author:** [@Whiteknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whiteknight)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2016, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-one-legally-required-to-change-their-voting-registration-address-when-moving-between-states/770552 "2016-11-04T18:44:07Z")
Resident and registered voter, non-college student, of state A moves to state B. At what point, if any, is the voter legally required to change their registration from A to B. The same resident above does not regist… --- ## [Where does all the damn gas from drinking milk come from? TMI?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-all-the-damn-gas-from-drinking-milk-come-from-tmi/265239)
**Author:** [@QOFM\_Sit\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QOFM_Sit_Down)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2016, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-all-the-damn-gas-from-drinking-milk-come-from-tmi/265239 "2016-11-04T14:01:33Z")
Assuming the person that drinks the milk is lactose intolerant? So I drank a glass of milk this morning at breakfast (and had some milk on my cereal), and I’ve been farting ever since. I think I’ve broken the law of co… --- ## [Paratroops and gliders](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paratroops-and-gliders/770498)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2016, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paratroops-and-gliders/770498 "2016-11-04T14:00:58Z")
I have been reading about the Normandy invasion. Why deliver troops by glider instead of parachute? Can a powered aircraft haul more men in gliders than it can carry paratroops? Why not carry paratroops in the gliders… --- ## [Do Autistic children...point?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-autistic-children-point/770504)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2016, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-autistic-children-point/770504 "2016-11-04T13:42:08Z")
Pretty much the defining characteristic of Autism/Aspergers is a mind devoid of Social Awareness: being blind and deaf to social cues, not initiating social interactions (in a natural way :rolleyes:). Think Dr. Sheldon… --- ## [How do I research the manufacturing or sales history of a US patent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-research-the-manufacturing-or-sales-history-of-a-us-patent/770343)
**Author:** [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2016, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-research-the-manufacturing-or-sales-history-of-a-us-patent/770343 "2016-11-04T13:36:19Z")
I found an old US patent from the 1970’s that described something that could be useful to me, but that I have never actually seen sold. The patent was actually granted - it was not a patent proposal. Is it possible in an… --- ## [Atmosphere thinner at the poles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atmosphere-thinner-at-the-poles/770499)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2016, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atmosphere-thinner-at-the-poles/770499 "2016-11-04T06:37:07Z")
I’m reading something about a bicycle ride to the South Pole. It says: I’ve never heard this before and I’m fairly certain this is total nonsense. Am I right or wrong? The source, for those interested, is an article i… --- ## [How do I view my password in Explorer 11, Windows 7?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-view-my-password-in-explorer-11-windows-7/770473)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2016, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-view-my-password-in-explorer-11-windows-7/770473 "2016-11-04T06:08:41Z")
I generally use Explorer 11 as my work browser, and I think we’re running on Windows 7. Explorer sometimes stalls, so I’ll hop over to Chrome to do a task. here’s the problem: My password for a certain site is automati… --- ## [What Happened When the Records in a Courthouse got Destroyed in the Old Days?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-when-the-records-in-a-courthouse-got-destroyed-in-the-old-days/770496)
**Author:** [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2016, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-when-the-records-in-a-courthouse-got-destroyed-in-the-old-days/770496 "2016-11-04T04:18:30Z")
Courthouses contain a lot of very important information like deeds, court records, land records, marriage records etc. What happened in the “Old Days” when one of them burned down, flooded or anything else that caused th… --- ## [How do Amazon reviewers get free stuff to review?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-amazon-reviewers-get-free-stuff-to-review/770551)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2016, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-amazon-reviewers-get-free-stuff-to-review/770551 "2016-11-04T03:58:40Z")
I’ve been reading Amazon reviews lately that have a disclaimer that the reviewer received a product for free in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. How are people being selected to do this? More to the point, ho… --- ## [Negative camber on a car tire and adjustment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/negative-camber-on-a-car-tire-and-adjustment/770566)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2016, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/negative-camber-on-a-car-tire-and-adjustment/770566 "2016-11-04T03:09:13Z")
2005 Jeep Liberty I had the struts replaced and like an idiot didnt get an alignment so three questions. The alignment shop said the shocks place must of put the struts in at a wrong angle and the solution is to move t… --- ## [What determines sexual orientation/sexuality?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-determines-sexual-orientation-sexuality/770576)
**Author:** [@Machinaforce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machinaforce)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2016, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-determines-sexual-orientation-sexuality/770576 "2016-11-04T02:18:17Z")
So the above links got me thinking, what exactly forms ones sexuality/orientation? --- ## [Income Tax Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/income-tax-question/770530)
**Author:** [@jt65742](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jt65742)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2016, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/income-tax-question/770530 "2016-11-04T00:43:31Z")
With the updates for the FLSA going into effect, several people in my office are moving to be paid hourly vs. salary. In short, their hourly rate will be calculated using what they currently earn weekly based on a 42.5 … --- ## [Why does my dishwasher make noise when NOT running?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-dishwasher-make-noise-when-not-running/765865)
**Author:** [@cwthree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cwthree)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2016, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-dishwasher-make-noise-when-not-running/765865 "2016-11-04T00:21:50Z")
Here’s a totally non-hypothetical scenario. I haven’t had much luck finding information online, and I’m loathe to call a repair service to troubleshoot the complaint of “sometimes it sounds funny.” The dishwasher in my … --- ## [Something I'm confused about regarding dark matter...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-im-confused-about-regarding-dark-matter/770460)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2016, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-im-confused-about-regarding-dark-matter/770460 "2016-11-03T23:07:55Z")
As I understand it, the outer stars of galaxies revolve around the centers of their galaxies too fast for the the visible matter in the galaxy to account for. Dark matter is necessary to postulate how that can be. But ev… --- ## [a horse is a horse, of course, of course](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-horse-is-a-horse-of-course-of-course/770501)
**Author:** [@mattybats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mattybats)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2016, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-horse-is-a-horse-of-course-of-course/770501 "2016-11-03T21:46:51Z")
So an average size horse has a 200 lb. man on its back. If the horse in this scenario were a man, and had weight on his back similar to what the man’s weight felt like to the horse, how much weight would that be? --- ## [How do people sell shit on ebay so cheap?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-sell-shit-on-ebay-so-cheap/770269)
**Author:** [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2016, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-sell-shit-on-ebay-so-cheap/770269 "2016-11-03T21:00:55Z")
Not the only example of ridiculous prices I’ve seen on ebay but a good example. I just bought an LED watch to keep in my car, as my car’s onboard clock has malfunctioned. It cost me 99p, it’s being sent from within the U… --- ## [Annoying scrolling behavior in browsers (not a Chrome "smooth scrolling" issue)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-scrolling-behavior-in-browsers-not-a-chrome-smooth-scrolling-issue/770534)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2016, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-scrolling-behavior-in-browsers-not-a-chrome-smooth-scrolling-issue/770534 "2016-11-03T20:00:25Z")
I recently starting having a problem in browsers when I use the scroll wheel on my mouse. It’s a new mouse, but I can’t remember if the problem started exactly when I got this mouse. In a browser (Chrome, Firefox, IE), … --- ## [What is this quote from, "It's nice to be nice"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-quote-from-its-nice-to-be-nice/279283)
**Author:** [@chefIL11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chefIL11)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2016, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-quote-from-its-nice-to-be-nice/279283 "2016-11-03T19:07:48Z")
I googled it and came up with results from MAS\*H, but that is not what I remember it from. --- ## [TV Court Shows and Restraining Orders](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-court-shows-and-restraining-orders/770401)
**Author:** [@CoastalMaineiac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoastalMaineiac)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2016, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-court-shows-and-restraining-orders/770401 "2016-11-03T17:34:52Z")
I ordinarily don’t watch these shows, but someone else in the house was watching The People’s Court today, and there was a case where someone was trying to collect an alleged debt. Supposedly, the defendant had a restrai… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=820) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=822)