how many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop?

Answer 1

Since the invention of the Tootsie Roll Pop, many men (and women and owls) have asked the question, "How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop?" Previous research seems to suggest that one can reach the center with three licks and a bite (ref: Mr. Owl), but this does not sufficiently answer the question. Ongoing research is being conducted, and preliminary results have been obtained, towards solving the problem.

Purpose
The purpose of the research that is being conducted is to systematically determine how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop.

Method
Materials
1 Tootsie Roll Pop
1 Person
Setup
Unwrap the Tootsie Roll Pop
Procedure
Lick* side** of the Tootsie Roll Pop
Rotate to other side** of Tootsie Roll Pop
Repeat from Step 1 until center is reached***
Record results
* - A lick is when your tongue is run across the Tootsie Rolls Pop; sucking is strictly prohibitted in this experiment. The tongue need not, necessarily, be retracted into the mouth between individual licks, though it has been found to be more pleasant for the experimenter with frequent tongue retraction.
** - Tootsie Roll Pops are shaped in a roughly saucer shape; the broader parts are being referred to as sides
*** - The center is determined to have been reached when licking yields the texture of Tootsie Roll, flavor of Tootsie Roll and the discoloration of Tootsie Roll is visible with reference to the candy portion. This eliminates false positives as a result of bubbles in the candy, oddly textured regions and seeing chocolate through candy

Data
Trial # Contributor Trial Date Color # Of Licks Trial Duration
1 George Waksman Blue 474
2 George Waksman Red 522
3 George Waksman Dark Red 233
4 George Waksman Orange 590
5 George Waksman Purple 765
6 George Waksman Brown 799 14m
7 George Waksman Dark Red 585 9m
8 George Waksman Blue 539 11m
9 George Waksman Dark Red 610
10 Rachel Dillon Blue 601
11 George Waksman Dark Red 595

Calculations
Minimum Licks
Since the obtained data represents the licking of both sides, the minimum number of licks for a given Tootsie Roll Pop is half (round up) the number of licks obtained in the trial

The data suggests that it takes approximately 574 licks to reach the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop when alternating the licking side. Since the procedure calls for equal licking of both sides of the Tootsie Roll Pop and completion is determined by core contact on either side, one could reach the core with fewer licks by focusing on only one side of the Tootsie Roll Pop. If one were to select the side closer to the core, it would theoretically require approximately 288 licks to reach the center.

The data also suggests a substantial variability in the number of licks required to reach the center, with a standard deviation of 149 licks for two sided licking and 75 for single side licking.

Error Sources
The small number of trials makes for a very large standard deviation. The standard deviation is so large, in fact, that it is not reasonable to assume the conclusions are accurate.

Further Research
More trials must be conducted to obtain more data points.

As other possible areas of research, one could look into the effects of tongue size, saliva production, tongue retraction and other variables on the number of licks necessary. The methods contained are easily adapted to further experimentaion.

Answer 2

nicely there is not any good answer to this question, there are quite some variables. for instance do you concentrate on getting to the middle basically hitting the tootsie roll middle or having it thoroughly uncovered? also relying on the way you lick it. in case you're taking biiiiig licks you're in all probability to get there in a lot less licks... My chum tried this once and uncovered one entire area in 268 licks. a thanks to locate an answer? grab a tootsie pop and initiate licking!

Answer 3

Ask Mr Owl.

Mr Owl, how many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?

Let's find out...

One...

Two...

Three...

CRUNCH!!!

Three.

Answer 4

Three. But the third lick is very crunchy.

Answer 5

6.632 X 10^34

Answer 6

Haha I actualy tried this but I only got up to 745!

-I am that retarded to count

Answer 7

Or as some "ladies" might say, I don't lick, I just suck on it..

Answer 8

one

Answer 9

the world may never no

Answer 10

1. for me at least.