Things that have bothered you for a long time.

[matticus]

If you are sent to spy for your country and need to keep a low profile, should you drive an inconspicuous vehicle such as an old Ford Fiesta rather than an Aston Martin?

To Tesco's, or to a casino?

 

[youngoldbloke]

Paper sizes: why is

A4

210 x 297 mm

8.268 x 11.693 inches

for example, instead of more convenient dimensions, say 200 x 300 mm ?

 

[Willd]

Paper sizes: why is

A4

210 x 297 mm

8.268 x 11.693 inches

for example, instead of more convenient dimensions, say 200 x 300 mm ?

cos it is approximately 8 1/4" x 11 3/4" and a a bit of rounding has gone on to convert it to mm. Which begs the question why wasn't it 8" x 12"
Boring answer here

 

[Profpointy]

Paper sizes: why is

A4

210 x 297 mm

8.268 x 11.693 inches

for example, instead of more convenient dimensions, say 200 x 300 mm ?

The boring answer is the A series of paper has edges in the proportion 1 x sq-root 2. This is necessary if you want two of one size put side by side to equal the next size up. Thus the long side of A4 = short side of A3 and so two A4 sheets side by side are the same size as an A3. The series starts with A0 which is 1 square metre total area and the odd-seeming sizes stem from this. The B series uses the same proportions but B0 is 1m x sq-root 2m. Square root of two is about 1.414.

You can't do this with the older standards. Whilst you can fold a "folio" into 2 to give "quarto" or fold again into "octo" they are all differently proportioned rectangles.

 

[Accy cyclist]

Is this van photographed this aft' registered in India?🤔

 

[Chris S]

Why does Emmanuel Macron look like Antoine de Caunes?

 

[Chris S]

Why do electric heaters buzz?

 

[Chief Broom]

2nd class post....how is this achieved? do they have a fleet of ancient wheezy morris minor vans to do deliveries or maybe they employ ex one legged pirates to stump around the streets...

 

[classic33]

Why do electric heaters buzz?

Maybe your coil is vibrating!

https://temperaturemaster.com/why-do-electric-heaters-make-noise-7-common-reasons/

 

[Poacher]

Is the leaning tower of Pisa a listed building?

 

[DaveReading]

I'm inclined to agree.

 

[classic33]

Is the leaning tower of Pisa a listed building?

As part of Pisa's UNESCO-listed Field of Miracles complex.

 

[Chief Broom]

As dinosaurs were probably warm blooded [generally accepted] why are they still referred to as reptiles? They might share some characteristics to reptiles but cant they have a classification of their own.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Why do electric heaters buzz?

Powered by bees

 

[Ming the Merciless]

As dinosaurs were probably warm blooded [generally accepted] why are they still referred to as reptiles? They might share some characteristics to reptiles but cant they have a classification of their own.

They do, dinosaurs