2006-08-20 18:36:56 · 3 answers · asked by candyisland2002 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
These two fine Gentleman before me obviously know of what they speak. But they failed to mention that you must first accept that the answer is, in fact, 42 ☺
Doug
2006-08-20 18:54:36 · answer #1 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"The Infinite Improbability Drive is a wonderful new method of crossing interstellar distances in a few seconds; without all that tedious mucking about in hyperspace. As the Improbability Drive reaches infinite improbability, it passes through every conceivable point in every conceivable universe almost simultaneously. In other words, you're never sure where you'll end up or even what species you'll be when you get there. It's therefore important to dress accordingly. The Infinite Improbability Drive was invented following research into finite improbability which was often used to break the ice at parties by making all the molecules in the hostess' undergarments leap one foot simultaneously to the left in accordance with the theory of indeterminacy. Many respectful physicists said they wouldn't go to stand for that sort of thing, partly because it was a debasement of science, but mostly because they didn't get invited to those sort of parties."
2006-08-20 18:46:02 · answer #2 · answered by thiefofsanity 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The Infinite Improbability Drive was a device used by the Starship Heart of Gold in Douglas Adams books (most notably The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy). The device is a fictional Faster Than Light technology that basically allowed whatever ship it was installed in to travel to any point in the universe instantly. Generally what it does, again supposedly, is to generate and control improbability. Quantum physics states that matter has an very tiny possibility of spontaneously popping into existence at some other location in this universe basically without actually traversing space in any way that we currently are aware of. The IID employs this quantum state of matter to move the ship.
2006-08-20 18:49:17 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
One or two gargleblasters and I no longer care where I am or where I'm going. The problem with the IID is that you could could end up orbiting a chunk of detritus inside the nostrils of an alien life form. I'll just stay here and have another.
2016-03-13 09:36:59 · answer #4 · answered by Kelly 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Doug's answer of 42 is very good, but it is necessary to employ the Heisenberg uncertainty principle in this problem. Therefore, the answer might be 42, but it also might be 43 or 41, or even .07X or aardvark.
2006-08-20 19:22:16 · answer #5 · answered by RG 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋