Transcript
Simon:Back again?
Gillian:Yep.
Peter:Back again.
Simon:For some more fun, my friends. I do have a good one for you. The great thing about learning all these bets, Gillian, is of course that you go off . . . I know you would never do this to your friends, but Gillian has been renowned to be wandering around New York City bars, taking money off people. She’s sneaky.
Peter:Just as much as you are.
Simon:Of course I’m sneaky, but I’m not as pretty; although some would say otherwise. My friends, here’s a great bet for you. Gillian, this was a science puzzle that was put to me once.
Gillian:Okay.
Simon:What would you say would be bigger: Would it be the circumference of the glass, which 2?r . . . just letting you know I know a bit of math; or the height of the glass to the table? It’s quite a long way around there. What would you say would be bigger?
Gillian:I’m going to say the circumference.
Simon:Good answer.
Gillian:Yeah?
Simon:See? She’s very smart.
Peter:She is.
Simon:Let’s say I’ve got some bar napkins here.
Gillian:Okay.
Simon:Which, coincidentally, I do, and I popped the bar napkins under the glass. Now the little bet here is, what’s bigger?
Gillian:Which one?
Simon:The circumference, or the height, all the way to the table? It’s getting close, isn’t it?
Gillian:Yeah.
Simon:It’s getting close.
Gillian:I’m still going to say circumference.
Simon:I like you. That’s why I’m going to add some more napkins. Look at his face. He’s thinking, “It’s the height.”
Peter:It’s got to be.
Simon:Circumference, or to the table? I like the way she’s checking.
Gillian:I don’t know. It’s about even.
Simon:It’s getting close, right?
Gillian:Yeah.
Simon:Do you want to bet on it if I make it better for you?
Gillian:’If you make it better’, what does that mean?
Simon:How about I add some napkins?
Gillian:Okay. I’m going to say the height.
Simon:You’re going to say the height?
Gillian:Yeah.
Simon:How much you going to bet me?
Gillian:A drink?
Simon:A drink? I normally go for more than a drink on this one. How about I add some more napkins?
Gillian:Okay.
Simon:Now what are you going to bet me?
Gillian:A couple of drinks?
Simon:$20.
Gillian:Okay.
Simon:$20.
Gillian:Call it a deal.
Simon:You know it’s coming out of your wallet?
Peter:Yeah, where else?
Simon:Peter? How about I add some more napkins?
Peter:I don’t know.
Simon:Do you want to hold onto that for me? Will you, darling?
Gillian:Of course.
Simon:Now what are you going to bet me?
Peter:It’s got to be the height.
Simon:You’re going to go for the height. How much are you going to bet me on that? I just added another bundle of napkins.
Peter:$20.02.
Simon:No, it was $20. You’ve got to go for a bit more than that.
Peter:All right.
Simon:I’ll tell you what I’ll do; I’ll be kind to you. Let’s add some more napkins still, onto it. I’ve just ponied up another 20-odd napkins there, so you’ve got to pony up another $20, surely.
Peter:Another $20?
Simon:$40. The little baby circumference against that entire height.
Gillian:All right. Let’s do it.
Simon:$40? My friends, I have some string here that we can measure it with. This isn’t stretchy string or anything, I promise you. You can check it out. I’ll even let you measure it yourself. Guys at home, learn a lesson about math. There is the circumference.
Gillian:Okay.
Simon:Actually, it may even be slightly less than the circumference, if you noticed.
Peter:Because there’s a right down there.
Simon:There. . .
Peter:Whoa.
Simon:. . . is the height. Kids, you should study math at school. It can make you a lot of money in later life, if you become a devious person like me. Take the napkins home to wipe off your tears . . .
Peter:Thanks, Simon.
Simon:. . . of exasperation, my friend.
Peter:I will do that.
Simon:But not before you buy me my $40 worth of drinks.
Peter:You’re right.
Simon:Friends, that’s circular logic.
