This & That
calculations on our kitchen whiteboard, 25 December 2018
Christmas Morning 2018
Upon arriving in the kitchen early this morning, I found the mathematical expressions shown above on our kitchen white board Pete in process calculating whether the small amount of beef renderings we have on hand (from a roast) will be enough to properly flavor the Yorkshire Pudding I want to bake for tonight's holiday dinner. Recognizing a Christmas miracle in progress, I asked Pete to explain his process:
"First," he said, “you calculate the volume of two tablespoons by measuring a stick of butter, which is calibrated in tablespoons. So, the top line expression is just the dimensions of a stick of butter, 1.25" on a side, multiplied by the length of a two tablespoons marking on the butter wrapper. Then you measure the container holding the beef drippings, and multiply out the volume of that. The bottom line expression incorporates the radius of the jar holding the beef renderings and their depth, along with the constant pi."
Happy to report that we have 2 cubic inches of yummy beef fat on hand, just enough to bake a large Yorkshire Pudding for Christmas dinner. Joyful winter holidays to all!