by Artemis » Wed May 10, 2006 8:08 am
A: The basic equation is:
n(v) = A +- d x a(f^t) - {(P x G x p) / (k x e)}
Where:
n = number of boxes,
v = volume per box (measured in squirrels - see the findings of the Central Park Laboratory for the latest data on storing squirrels in boxes),
A = the amount of stuff you need to pack up,
d = the distance you're planning to travel,
a = the difference in altitude between where you are and where you're going,
f^t = the amount of fir trees that could grow on a, if a were altitude above sea level, in a temperate climate,
P = Planck's constant (or the year your toaster was manufacturered, whichever is easier to find out),
G = the universal gravitational constant, measurable by buying a goldfish, feeding the goldfish, and asking it to tell you,
p = Plunck's constant, the exact frequency of the 'plunck' noise your newly-acquired goldfish makes when you pour it out of the plastic bag of water and into its fishtank,
k = your post count on the Kitten board, and
e = everything else.
Note that the difference between n (number of boxes) and A (amount of stuff) is either positive or negative; the best current theory as to which will be the case is that if the universe is expanding until it reaches the limits of its kinetic energy, whereupon it will contract again to a hypermass, then you'll have more stuff to pack than boxes to pack them in. If, on the other hand, the universe's kinetic energy exceeds its gravitational mass, and will therefore continue expanding forever, you'll have more boxes than you need.
Nine out of ten astro-hyperphysicists consider this to be a sound theory. The observable fact that people can, on different occasions, produce different results with regard to the box/stuff differential, is taken as evidence that the universe hasn't made up its mind yet, and it just winging it on the assumption that it'll all work out okay one way or another.
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