🚀 go-pugleaf

rms@gnu.ai.mit.edu (Richard Stallman) writes:
>[full details of the  patent deleted -wsr]
>Conceptually, it works like this. An irregular object, like a rock,
>is depicted inside a cube or other object with straightforward
>dimensions.  The cube is then pelted with a random blitz of imaginary
>pellets that either stick to it or to the rock inside. If done
>properly, the percentage of pellets hitting the rock should be equal
>to the ratio of the rock's volume to that of the cube.

I find this note interesting on several grounds, the most interesting
one is that it doesn't even work!  Monte Carlo indeed.

At most one could determine the ratio of projected surface area.  I
don't see how one could claim to determine volume in this way.

Counter example: (with 100% error)

Take 3 extremely thin squares of material each the same size as a
surface of the cube.  Place them at mutually right angles inside the
cube so that each plane cuts the cube in half.

The "pellet test" will show that 100% of the pellets stick to the
target.  Hence the volume of the target would be calculated as 100% of
the cubes volume.  The real volume is, of course, ~0%.

-wolfgang
-- 
Wolfgang Rupprecht    wolfgang@wsrcc.com (or) uunet!wsrcc!wolfgang
Snail Mail Address:   Box 6524, Alexandria, VA 22306-0524