Math Is Fun Forum

  Discussion about math, puzzles, games and fun.   Useful symbols: ÷ × ½ √ ∞ ≠ ≤ ≥ ≈ ⇒ ± ∈ Δ θ ∴ ∑ ∫ • π ƒ -¹ ² ³ °

You are not logged in.

#1 2005-12-13 11:48:08

Math Guy
Member
Registered: 2005-10-12
Posts: 20

The Self-Adjusting Mystery Clock

Here it is:

It used to be that, when we changed into or out of Daylight Savings Time, you had to manually change all the clocks and appliances in your house.

Now many of them are wired into sources that change them for us.  So, for example, you change your wall clock and your microwave clock, but your computer, your cell phone your cable TV clocks automatically show the newly changed time without you having to do anything.

There is, however, a certain clock in my house that is not wired into anything. In fact, it runs on a battery, and it reads correctly all the time without my having to change it every spring and fall at the time changes.

The question is, how does it do this?

And the hint is, I didn't have one of these when I lived in Kansas.

*If yout think you know the answer then leave it here!

Offline

#2 2005-12-13 11:53:21

mathsyperson
Moderator
Registered: 2005-06-22
Posts: 4,900

Re: The Self-Adjusting Mystery Clock

The only things I can think of are that either it's a weird specially made clock that does it itself, or you live in an area that doesn't observe any form of daylight savings.


Why did the vector cross the road?
It wanted to be normal.

Offline

#3 2005-12-13 18:31:30

MathsIsFun
Administrator
Registered: 2005-01-21
Posts: 7,711

Re: The Self-Adjusting Mystery Clock

Good piece of lateral thinking.

If that isn't right then I will guess that it adjusts by radio signal (not wired!)


"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..."  - Leon M. Lederman

Offline

#4 2005-12-13 20:18:19

justlookingforthemoment
Moderator
Registered: 2005-05-26
Posts: 2,161

Re: The Self-Adjusting Mystery Clock

This is interesting. I doubt any of these are right, but maybe some kind of spiffy watch. Or unplugged laptop running on a battery. What about the clock in your car? I can't see how that would change for daylight saving, though. A sun/water clock? I'm going to keep thinking about this one.

Offline

#5 2005-12-22 11:16:48

ilikemath
Member
Registered: 2005-12-22
Posts: 1

Re: The Self-Adjusting Mystery Clock

May be "Math Guy" is now in a place which is not affected by DST, so there is no need for the clock to be adjusted.

Offline

#6 2005-12-22 14:07:10

John E. Franklin
Member
Registered: 2005-08-29
Posts: 3,588

Re: The Self-Adjusting Mystery Clock

Do you live in Indiana??


igloo myrtilles fourmis

Offline

#7 2005-12-30 14:21:19

God
Member
Registered: 2005-08-25
Posts: 59

Re: The Self-Adjusting Mystery Clock

May be preprogrammed with date?

Offline

#8 2006-01-31 12:53:32

Math Guy
Member
Registered: 2005-10-12
Posts: 20

Re: The Self-Adjusting Mystery Clock

It's a tide clock! Go figure..

Offline

#9 2006-01-31 18:00:34

MathsIsFun
Administrator
Registered: 2005-01-21
Posts: 7,711

Re: The Self-Adjusting Mystery Clock

A Tide Clock!  (What ... no tides in Kansas? wink)


"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..."  - Leon M. Lederman

Offline

#10 2006-01-31 18:34:12

Tigeree
Member
Registered: 2005-11-19
Posts: 13,883

Re: The Self-Adjusting Mystery Clock

a tide clock ..........................interesting hmm


People don't notice whether it's winter or summer when they're happy.
~ Anton Chekhov
Cheer up, emo kid.

Offline

Board footer

Powered by FluxBB