Collecting Bottles Strategy
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7 members have voted
April 11th, 2025 at 10:24:00 AM
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This Tik Tok Video features a contest of who can collect a line of bottles faster. One bottle may be picked up at a time only. You can see from the video that the man who starts with the bottles furthest away wins. The question for the forum is what is the appropriate strategy and/or why did the man starting with the farthest away bottle win?
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
April 11th, 2025 at 10:43:35 AM
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The guy on the left seems to run slower and slower as time went on.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
April 11th, 2025 at 10:58:52 AM
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the correct strategy is to pick the darker bottles............. jk
I'm guessing in theory it doesn't matter which task you pick
I'm guessing in theory it doesn't matter which task you pick
the next time Dame Fortune toys with your heart, your soul and your wallet, raise your glass and praise her thus: “Thanks for nothing, you cold-hearted, evil, damnable, nefarious, low-life, malicious monster from Hell!” She is, after all, stone deaf. ... Arnold Snyder
April 11th, 2025 at 11:16:30 AM
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One man runs the furthest while he is at his physical peak, and as his energy is depleted, the distance decreases with it.
The other is using his peak energy to accomplish the most manageable tasks, and as his energy diminishes, the distances increase.
Tackling the most challenging task at peak readiness makes sense in most situations.
The other is using his peak energy to accomplish the most manageable tasks, and as his energy diminishes, the distances increase.
Tackling the most challenging task at peak readiness makes sense in most situations.
Last edited by: billryan on Apr 11, 2025
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
April 11th, 2025 at 1:10:55 PM
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Quote: billryanTackling the most challenging task at peak readiness makes sense in most situations.
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i need to start doing that for everything else in my life.
i start with the easiest task on sat morning.
by the end of the day, i'm mentally exhausted and dont want to do the difficult ones
Craps is paradise (Pair of dice).
Lets hear it for the SpeedCount Mathletes :)
April 11th, 2025 at 2:11:55 PM
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I my gut tells the order/direction doesn’t matter, as the distance is the same, unless bending over wears a contestant out too much to run or vise versa.
In the video, the guy on the right (the winner) was more efficient by using both/switching hands on every bottle, thus saving time and bodily motion on each bottle. This is most apparent at the end of the video with the closest bottles. His opponent on the left used the same hand throughout, thus forcing his body to move less efficiently.
In the video, the guy on the right (the winner) was more efficient by using both/switching hands on every bottle, thus saving time and bodily motion on each bottle. This is most apparent at the end of the video with the closest bottles. His opponent on the left used the same hand throughout, thus forcing his body to move less efficiently.
It’s a dog eat dog world.
…Or maybe it’s the other way around!
April 11th, 2025 at 2:45:49 PM
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I can absolutely say the distances are the same. The two did the same tasks but in opposite order. The man on the right was just faster.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
April 11th, 2025 at 2:54:48 PM
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BillRyan's point about distance-first sounds most plausible. I'd imagine what if the bottles were spaced out ten times as much or if there were ten times as many.
But I'd be open to bottle-handling techniques mattering as well.
Imagining how I'd train for such a contest I'd time myself again and again using any variation in technique I could imagine. The distant-first would be the first variation I'd think to test. But if I knew there would only be 5 bottles spaced a foot apart maybe I'd try some hand-shifting strategy first.
I'd review the rules carefully for other degree of freedom as well. Could I tie the receptacle to my foot and drag it along? Could I touch only one bottle at a time but somehow carry/push/drag two? Could I play defense by interfering with my opponent or his bottles or crate?
But I'd be open to bottle-handling techniques mattering as well.
Imagining how I'd train for such a contest I'd time myself again and again using any variation in technique I could imagine. The distant-first would be the first variation I'd think to test. But if I knew there would only be 5 bottles spaced a foot apart maybe I'd try some hand-shifting strategy first.
I'd review the rules carefully for other degree of freedom as well. Could I tie the receptacle to my foot and drag it along? Could I touch only one bottle at a time but somehow carry/push/drag two? Could I play defense by interfering with my opponent or his bottles or crate?
April 11th, 2025 at 3:49:59 PM
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At first glance, the strategy is, you can pick up the bottles in pretty much any order, but save an opening in the tray that is farthest to the "starting line" for the final bottle.
The sum of the distances from the starting line to each bottle and back is the same regardless of the order.
The sum of the distances from the starting line to each tray opening and back is the same, but, assuming that the race ends when the last bottle is deposited, the runners do not have to run from where the last bottle is placed back to the starting line, so that should be as far as possible to reduce the total distance.
The sum of the distances from the starting line to each bottle and back is the same regardless of the order.
The sum of the distances from the starting line to each tray opening and back is the same, but, assuming that the race ends when the last bottle is deposited, the runners do not have to run from where the last bottle is placed back to the starting line, so that should be as far as possible to reduce the total distance.
April 11th, 2025 at 4:16:44 PM
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Simple- because the goal was to fill the case.
And while one side tastes great, the other is less filling.
(Just a little Lite humor)
And while one side tastes great, the other is less filling.
(Just a little Lite humor)
April 11th, 2025 at 4:23:10 PM
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Quote: 100xOddsQuote: billryanTackling the most challenging task at peak readiness makes sense in most situations.
link to original post
i need to start doing that for everything else in my life.
i start with the easiest task on sat morning.
by the end of the day, i'm mentally exhausted and dont want to do the difficult ones
link to original post
Like all exercise, you should warm up with a few simple tasks before the heavy stuff.
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
April 11th, 2025 at 4:56:42 PM
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It could be something as simple as the guy on the right had a lot more practice doing this and was in better condition. The guy on the left obviously was running slower at the end which probably means he's not in as good a condition as the other guy. Always pick the obvious choice It's usually the right one.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
April 11th, 2025 at 5:56:53 PM
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Quote: 100xOddsQuote: billryanTackling the most challenging task at peak readiness makes sense in most situations.
link to original post
i need to start doing that for everything else in my life.
i start with the easiest task on sat morning.
by the end of the day, i'm mentally exhausted and dont want to do the difficult ones
link to original post
i find my stamina is better when I start by contemplating doing the harder tasks first before contemplating doing the easier tasks. But the whole key is doing none of the tasks after all that contemplation.
Thankfully, I only have two assigned tasks. One is to take the garbage to the curb on trash day and the other is to clean the kitty litter box. I have found that by taking the garbage out before changing the litter results in a lighter load being wheeled out to the curb.
You can't know everything, but you can know anything.
April 11th, 2025 at 6:12:26 PM
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Quote: DRichQuote: 100xOddsQuote: billryanTackling the most challenging task at peak readiness makes sense in most situations.
link to original post
i need to start doing that for everything else in my life.
i start with the easiest task on sat morning.
by the end of the day, i'm mentally exhausted and dont want to do the difficult ones
link to original post
i find my stamina is better when I start by contemplating doing the harder tasks first before contemplating doing the easier tasks. But the whole key is doing none of the tasks after all that contemplation.
Thankfully, I only have two assigned tasks. One is to take the garbage to the curb on trash day and the other is to clean the kitty litter box. I have found that by taking the garbage out before changing the litter results in a lighter load being wheeled out to the curb.
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I have eight cat litter boxes I have to clean every day. How many do you have, I bet it's not eight.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
April 11th, 2025 at 7:25:56 PM
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If I have to do a task that involves say carrying multiple items, and some are heavier than others, I tend to carry the heavy items first and then after they are done I am moving along swimmingly and faster with the lighter items, because I realize that the hardest is done and there is less effort remaining to completion.
I don't think I would tend to do the first part of the job faster simply because it is easier, knowing that harder work is to come.
Similarly, the guy on the right settled to the harder tasks first, the farther away bottles, and once done fired those retro rockets to finish up the easier stuff with the sprightly knowledge that it was all downhill from there.
I will go further and suggest that if you're like the guy on the right who tries to get the hard work done first, you're probably a more organized successful type, than the lazy 'ucks who pick at the easy task first, then resign themselves to finishing the hard part of the job.
I don't think I would tend to do the first part of the job faster simply because it is easier, knowing that harder work is to come.
Similarly, the guy on the right settled to the harder tasks first, the farther away bottles, and once done fired those retro rockets to finish up the easier stuff with the sprightly knowledge that it was all downhill from there.
I will go further and suggest that if you're like the guy on the right who tries to get the hard work done first, you're probably a more organized successful type, than the lazy 'ucks who pick at the easy task first, then resign themselves to finishing the hard part of the job.
I tell you it’s wonderful to be here, man. I don’t give a damn who wins or loses. It’s just wonderful to be here with you people.
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/gambling/betting-systems/33908-the-adventures-of-mdawg/
April 11th, 2025 at 7:35:59 PM
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I tell you it’s wonderful to be here, man. I don’t give a damn who wins or loses. It’s just wonderful to be here with you people.
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/gambling/betting-systems/33908-the-adventures-of-mdawg/
April 11th, 2025 at 8:49:07 PM
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Once you've accomplished the most complex parts of a task, the rest comes easily.
The man who started with the closest one has to overcome the psychological knowledge that each task he accomplishes leads to a harder one, while watching the other man's task get easier the more he completes.
The man who started with the closest one has to overcome the psychological knowledge that each task he accomplishes leads to a harder one, while watching the other man's task get easier the more he completes.
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
April 11th, 2025 at 10:57:21 PM
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I still say that the guy on the right had practice doing this and the guy on the left did not. Try not to overthink these things.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
April 12th, 2025 at 3:57:59 AM
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Compare what each man does with the bottles about eight away from the crate. The man on the right does everything with the same hand. The man on the left picks up the bottle with his right hand, passes it to his left and then places it in the crate. In other words, he is moving his body less, which saves time. Same principle as when you have a lot of people to move a lot of objects, you form a line and pass the boxes person to person. The idea being only the arms move, not the body. I know there is a term for these lines, but I can't remember it.
Also, it's not the only reason, but the man on the right is taller and has a longer reach.
Also, it's not the only reason, but the man on the right is taller and has a longer reach.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
April 12th, 2025 at 4:34:03 AM
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Quote: Wizard<snip> I know there is a term for these lines, but I can't remember it.
Wiz,
The term you seek is Bucket Brigade, also known as a Human Chain.
Hope this helps!
Dog Hand
April 12th, 2025 at 5:24:40 AM
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Quote: billryanQuote: 100xOddsQuote: billryanTackling the most challenging task at peak readiness makes sense in most situations.
link to original post
i need to start doing that for everything else in my life.
i start with the easiest task on sat morning.
by the end of the day, i'm mentally exhausted and dont want to do the difficult ones
link to original post
Like all exercise, you should warm up with a few simple tasks before the heavy stuff.
link to original post
Thx for that advice.
1 easy task 1st then the hardest task of the day
Craps is paradise (Pair of dice).
Lets hear it for the SpeedCount Mathletes :)
April 12th, 2025 at 7:04:54 AM
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Quote: ThatDonGuyAt first glance, the strategy is, you can pick up the bottles in pretty much any order, but save an opening in the tray that is farthest to the "starting line" for the final bottle.
link to original post
At second glance, this assumes that a runner will maintain a constant speed throughout the race. Presumably, in reality, each will get more tired, and, as a result, slower, as the race progresses, so the longer distances should be covered while each one can run faster. The strategy thus becomes, get the farthest remaining bottle first.
April 12th, 2025 at 7:53:01 AM
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Quote: DogHandThe term you seek is Bucket Brigade, also known as a Human Chain.
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Ah, thanks!
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
April 12th, 2025 at 8:21:13 AM
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Quote: 100xOddsQuote: billryanQuote: 100xOddsQuote: billryanTackling the most challenging task at peak readiness makes sense in most situations.
link to original post
i need to start doing that for everything else in my life.
i start with the easiest task on sat morning.
by the end of the day, i'm mentally exhausted and dont want to do the difficult ones
link to original post
Like all exercise, you should warm up with a few simple tasks before the heavy stuff.
link to original post
Thx for that advice.
1 easy task 1st then the hardest task of the day
link to original post
Something like that. I find it's easier to make a list of task to do for tomorrow and knock off a couple easy ones before taking on the toughest task. I'm a terrible procrastinator, and it took me years to develop a system to overcome it with a method that works for me If there is a one size fits all system, I have not found it.
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
April 12th, 2025 at 8:25:53 AM
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Instead of collecting bottles, imagine you are collecting bears. The closest bear is a teddy bear, the furthest is a grizzly. Do you want to take the grizzly on first, at peak strength or last, when you are already exhausted?
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
