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David Ryeburn[_2_] · August 12th 15, 06:03 AM posted to rec.radio.amateur.antenna

In article ,
(Dave Platt) wrote:

"[certain ancient events] took place approximately 14 billion years
ago."

"That figure is exact?"

This reminds me of something I heard about 40 years ago from an
electrical engineer while on a hiking trip in Garibaldi Provincial Park
in British Columbia. The EE reported on a conversation he had had some
years earlier with the person then in charge of a remote cabin, near
which we had just then stopped for a rest break.

EE: How old are those mountains (pointing over towards Mamquam Mountain)?

Cabin steward: 10 million and 30 years old.

EE: And how did you find that out?

Cabin steward: 30 years ago a geologist stayed in the cabin and I asked
him. He said they were 10 million years old.

I used to tell this story to my students when I wanted to get across the
idea of significant figures.

--
David Ryeburn

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