Elliptical Pool Table - Numberphile

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 27 лип 2024
  • A game to play on the elliptical table: • A Game for the Ellipti...
    More links & stuff in full description below ↓↓↓
    And more extra footage: • Elliptical Pool Table ...
    Alex Bellos' Loop Table website: www.loop-the-game.com
    Alex discusses the topic in his book Alex Through the Looking-Glass (UK) and The Grapes of Math (US)... bit.ly/BellosBooks
    Support us on Patreon: / numberphile
    NUMBERPHILE
    Website: www.numberphile.com/
    Numberphile on Facebook: / numberphile
    Numberphile tweets: / numberphile
    Subscribe: bit.ly/Numberphile_Sub
    Numberphile is supported by the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI): bit.ly/MSRINumberphile
    Videos by Brady Haran
    Brady's videos subreddit: / bradyharan
    Brady's latest videos across all channels: www.bradyharanblog.com/
    Sign up for (occasional) emails: eepurl.com/YdjL9
    Numberphile T-Shirts: teespring.com/stores/numberphile
    Other merchandise: store.dftba.com/collections/n...
  • Наука та технологія

КОМЕНТАРІ • 2,1 тис.

  • @buqy80
    @buqy80 5 років тому +5080

    Thank you for letting the ball fall in the hole before changing camera angles.❤

    • @imgayasheck595
      @imgayasheck595 5 років тому +135

      It felt so satisfying to watch

    • @kinggu9270
      @kinggu9270 4 роки тому +97

      Yea right. It would be so annoying if they had change it before the ball fell lol

    • @screamsinrussian5773
      @screamsinrussian5773 4 роки тому +2

      why

    • @blessed6336
      @blessed6336 4 роки тому +14

      TA Parity and you’ve just got an immature mind grow up

    • @screamsinrussian5773
      @screamsinrussian5773 4 роки тому

      @Jay Glenna yeah I guess you could say I'm everywhere, don't look under your bed btw :^)

  • @SuperCarlinBrothers
    @SuperCarlinBrothers 9 років тому +4895

    This just blew my mind

    • @numberphile
      @numberphile  9 років тому +334

      SuperCarlinBrothers sorry

    • @2b-coeur
      @2b-coeur 9 років тому +14

      SuperCarlinBrothers Ooo, hi!!!

    • @yogesh193001
      @yogesh193001 8 років тому +4

      +Numberphile thanks for the video. can you please make a video of the fact that the ball starts to spin faster and faster as it penetrates the hole? (conversion of energy, gravity, etc ....)

    • @krisztian76
      @krisztian76 8 років тому +6

      +yogs19 No. That should be physicphile...

    • @kewldewd8740
      @kewldewd8740 8 років тому +16

      OMG what are the super Carlin bros doing here

  • @andrew_pattonpatton4929
    @andrew_pattonpatton4929 4 роки тому +785

    2:37 when he started talking it got me really worried we weren’t gonna see the ball go the whole way down phewwww

  • @jonoghue
    @jonoghue 3 роки тому +717

    Special recognition goes to the editor for not ending the clip at 2:25 too early.

    • @Corn0nTheCobb
      @Corn0nTheCobb Рік тому +5

      You should delete your comment because @Buqy already said that 2 years prior

    • @jonoghue
      @jonoghue Рік тому +47

      @@Corn0nTheCobb My sincerest apologies for not reading all 2,000 comments on this video to make sure mine is totally unique.

    • @Corn0nTheCobb
      @Corn0nTheCobb Рік тому +5

      @@jonoghue it's fine, not the end of the world. Let's just be a little more careful next time please 😉

    • @abdulrahmanalmojil3574
      @abdulrahmanalmojil3574 Рік тому +20

      @@Corn0nTheCobb actually you shouldn’t say those sentences because they’ve been used before

    • @Gunz_o
      @Gunz_o Рік тому

      @@abdulrahmanalmojil3574 I think you're guilty of hypocrisy there mate.

  • @nyalldavis
    @nyalldavis 9 років тому +785

    you can also hit it in from anywhere by aiming through the focal point

    • @RG-pr5xx
      @RG-pr5xx 4 роки тому +139

      That sounds like hitting from the focus with extra steps

    • @DvdAvins
      @DvdAvins 4 роки тому +42

      Or aim directly away from the focal point.

    • @thomasgrubert7819
      @thomasgrubert7819 4 роки тому +32

      Indeed... or at the pocket, or directly away.

    • @Eylrid
      @Eylrid 4 роки тому +14

      @@thomasgrubert7819 Directly away from the pocket for a two bank shot

    • @StoutProper
      @StoutProper 4 роки тому +2

      N ytonial gonna have to put the centerline of the ball exactly through the spot, that's gonna be harder to be precise about

  • @xisumavoid
    @xisumavoid 9 років тому +3630

    How fascinating! It looked kinda gimmicky in the thumbnail but turned out to be pretty interesting! :-)

    • @numberphile
      @numberphile  9 років тому +287

      xisumavoid cheers

    • @bala0szoke
      @bala0szoke 9 років тому +80

      Nice to see you here:D

    • @12inater
      @12inater 9 років тому +46

      Wow x. I'm seeing who you watch, film theory, and now this

    • @dilloncaffrey6936
      @dilloncaffrey6936 9 років тому +55

      xisumavoid hmm, xisuma seems to be a mathematician...

    • @gumenski
      @gumenski 9 років тому +5

      xisumavoid RIP headphone users

  • @TheAmericanDane
    @TheAmericanDane 4 роки тому +1392

    Peter Ebdon would still take 6 minutes to decide on a shot.

    • @Jessebella1
      @Jessebella1 4 роки тому +58

      6 minutes, hes alot faster now days then I see

    • @grammarofficerkrupke4398
      @grammarofficerkrupke4398 3 роки тому +5

      Ebdon set his legacy to snooker in stone with that match against Ronnie. I wonder if he regrets it today...

    • @sp-pz8uc
      @sp-pz8uc 3 роки тому +3

      And half hour to hit it.

    • @westronic
      @westronic 2 роки тому +6

      I love how this is still funny even though I don't know the reference.

    • @ahriman935
      @ahriman935 2 роки тому +1

      @@grammarofficerkrupke4398
      He doesn't know it himself.
      If he's ever thought about it... he's still thinking about it.

  • @RuyLopezTheSicilian
    @RuyLopezTheSicilian 4 роки тому +16

    "You have to be very skillful"
    Nails it right away

  • @Ludwig1625
    @Ludwig1625 7 років тому +2608

    His shirt is glitching out

    • @ragasdapper
      @ragasdapper 7 років тому +128

      It's made by EA

    • @user-zn2ub8zs5l
      @user-zn2ub8zs5l 7 років тому +9

      ragasdapper lol

    • @MackenziiRivers
      @MackenziiRivers 5 років тому +16

      @@ragasdapper he'll need to pay extra money for the slight hope it doesnt glitch out again. chances are he'll have to pay extra if this doesnt work

    • @lollolson
      @lollolson 5 років тому +5

      its a vest...

    • @deadend8111
      @deadend8111 5 років тому +22

      it's called moire effect

  • @a2rhombus2
    @a2rhombus2 8 років тому +5257

    His shirt needs to calm down

    • @a2rhombus2
      @a2rhombus2 8 років тому +17

      Lord Humungus
      oh

    • @MrCrystalm8
      @MrCrystalm8 8 років тому +22

      ***** Bend over.

    • @Quibber123
      @Quibber123 8 років тому +60

      +A to Rhombus This string of 2 replies amuses me way more than it should lol

    • @ImCorzy
      @ImCorzy 8 років тому +5

      I thought I was the only one xD

    • @oliver24x
      @oliver24x 8 років тому +13

      Depends on what camera it is, not all have AA filters

  • @WillBlocher
    @WillBlocher 6 років тому +213

    1:15 "if it's here (off-focus) it's never going to go in" Not true! There are 4 directions you could hit it and it would go in: directly toward or directly away from either focus.

    • @PhilosophyVajda
      @PhilosophyVajda 3 роки тому +17

      I just came to the comments to see something like this. I was kind of hoping that he would explain how to play billiards when off the foci.

    • @PhilosophyVajda
      @PhilosophyVajda 3 роки тому +2

      He seems to have committed himself to saying that on a circular (1 focus, where the hole is that focus) billiards table would be impossible to do *any* successful rebound shot.

    • @PhilosophyVajda
      @PhilosophyVajda 3 роки тому +16

      Lastly, he just said that more and less power miss, so that means if we adjust the starting point we can adjust the power accordingly to make the shot!

    • @waluigivermicelli
      @waluigivermicelli 3 роки тому +1

      Thank you

    • @BobfromSydney
      @BobfromSydney 3 роки тому +4

      @@PhilosophyVajda On a circular table with the hole in the center there is one way to make a successful rebound shot - directly away from the center towards the edge. Theoretically this should hit and rebound at a perfect 90 degree angle from the tangent of the circle an rebound staight to the hole.

  • @yokonthesage
    @yokonthesage 3 роки тому +96

    As a pool player, it’s interesting your brought up how the force of the hit changes the angle the ball banks at. I’ve noticed as you demonstrated that with a harder hit, the angle of incidence decreases and the softer the hit it increases. Do you think this is because of the compression of the sides of the table? I’ve always wondered l, and that seems the most logical explanation. Assuming there’s zero English on the ball, with a harder hit the sides get compressed more and perhaps shoot it back at a smaller angle whereas if it hits it softer, the side will compress less and therefore sway the ball off to the side more. Just a theory.

    • @bullfrogpondshop3179
      @bullfrogpondshop3179 2 роки тому +5

      I've always played Bank shots as if they would have a slightly lower angle of reflection then the angle of incidence. My theory was that the rubber cushion gripped the ball ever so slightly.

    • @chrismofer
      @chrismofer 2 роки тому

      Perhaps by digging it rebounds some of the sideways velocity making a shallower angle

    • @rick4677
      @rick4677 2 роки тому +2

      possibly it’s due to hitting the cushions takes off more force towards the cushions than along the cushion if you get what i mean

  • @ZoggFromBetelgeuse
    @ZoggFromBetelgeuse 9 років тому +613

    "If it's here, wherever I rebound, it's never gonna go in" (1:17) : Wrong.
    When you hit it along the line through the hole-less focus point, in either direction, it will go in.

    • @BigBoiFleen
      @BigBoiFleen 9 років тому +57

      It wouldn't rebound then so it is actually correct.

    • @victorvescu
      @victorvescu 9 років тому +5

      Zogg from Betelgeuse Zogg, glad to see you here! Are you gathering information about the earthlings' favorite way of sending and receiving information: the Internet, a primitive version of the Great Galactic Grid?

    • @samramdebest
      @samramdebest 9 років тому +2

      Zogg from Betelgeuse I was thinking the same thing

    • @alexanderreynolds9705
      @alexanderreynolds9705 9 років тому

      xx

    • @samramdebest
      @samramdebest 9 років тому +1

      ***** that is what he is saying.

  • @carbon13
    @carbon13 8 років тому +619

    Does that mean that you could technically play from anywhere, just as long as you intersect one of the 2 foci?

    • @MDefender22
      @MDefender22 7 років тому +12

      Jordan Richards that was my thought as well

    • @rhysduncan8676
      @rhysduncan8676 7 років тому +30

      that would make sense, yeah

    • @randomdude9135
      @randomdude9135 5 років тому +20

      Took a min or half to understand what you said. Yeah, what you said is right

    • @randomdude9135
      @randomdude9135 4 роки тому +1

      Yup

    • @jmbreche
      @jmbreche 4 роки тому +24

      Congratulations! You've discovered that you can hit a ball at a point!

  • @inventor121
    @inventor121 3 роки тому +13

    I remember there was also another youtuber who made an automatic billiards stick. I sense the perfect collab

  • @juliansternberg3876
    @juliansternberg3876 5 років тому +94

    “It’s really difficult so you have to be really skilful”
    Gets it in first try
    Weird flex but ok

  • @rickxhoshinji
    @rickxhoshinji 8 років тому +44

    2:27 strangely hypnotic and extremely addicting to watch in slow motion.

  • @sssdddkkksss
    @sssdddkkksss 9 років тому +138

    DEMONSTRATE CHAOS THEORY ON THIS TABLE!

    • @emil246
      @emil246 9 років тому +1

      sssdddkkksss through the pool ball up and see where it lands.

    • @sssdddkkksss
      @sssdddkkksss 9 років тому +2

      Michael Adsetts How?

    • @sanjursan
      @sanjursan 6 років тому

      If you are looking for sensitivity to initial conditions, start by looking at the break of say, a rack of eight ball.

    • @ishwar8119
      @ishwar8119 6 років тому

      or a rack in loop, but it isn't as sensitive

  • @dessertstorm7476
    @dessertstorm7476 3 роки тому +130

    the angle of reflection is also changed by spin, anyone who plays pool or snooker knows this.

    • @robertherndon4351
      @robertherndon4351 3 роки тому +8

      The reflection also spins the ball (again, changing its angle of reflection).

    • @plutoniumisotope205
      @plutoniumisotope205 3 роки тому

      Si what is spin

    • @zanussidish8144
      @zanussidish8144 3 роки тому +3

      The idea is this ball is not hit with spin. It's not a pool,, snooker or billiard experiment. it's regarding physics.

    • @zanussidish8144
      @zanussidish8144 3 роки тому +1

      @@plutoniumisotope205 Hitting the cue ball off centre, for example towards the left or the top.

    • @dessertstorm7476
      @dessertstorm7476 3 роки тому +2

      @@zanussidish8144 thanks for explaining how spin is not included in physics

  • @sandrant4642
    @sandrant4642 3 роки тому +8

    Every once in a while this gets in recommended, and every time I always click on it

  • @flaplaya
    @flaplaya 7 років тому +653

    I can't get over how tight the hole is :)

    • @eightiesboy
      @eightiesboy 7 років тому +101

      fla playa The tighter the better.

    • @flaplaya
      @flaplaya 7 років тому +61

      .. Usually ;) not in billiards though.

    • @gummel82
      @gummel82 7 років тому +63

      fla playa Can't say that about your mom

    • @danienybrandelli4771
      @danienybrandelli4771 7 років тому +60

      that's what he said..

    • @johndoe7109
      @johndoe7109 7 років тому +17

      Danieny Brandelli really? I'd like to find out myself

  • @user-gi3ro9rm9k
    @user-gi3ro9rm9k 8 років тому +183

    the "Goldilocks Hit" omg you're killing me

    • @kerbalairforce8802
      @kerbalairforce8802 7 років тому +14

      The term for a planet that is the right distance from it's star to support life is also called the "Goldilocks zone".

    • @user-gi3ro9rm9k
      @user-gi3ro9rm9k 7 років тому +10

      i know, but think dirty my friend

    • @darcipeeps22
      @darcipeeps22 5 років тому

      Try Goldi

    • @Bugsfuckingbunny
      @Bugsfuckingbunny 3 роки тому

      Blasphemy

  • @kevinthibodeau
    @kevinthibodeau 3 роки тому +30

    Did anyone else feel anxiety at 2:33 because you thought they might cut away before we watched the ball go in?

    • @gsas3012
      @gsas3012 3 роки тому +2

      Omg yes! I thought I was alone there

  • @chipmcgruder4438
    @chipmcgruder4438 4 роки тому +5

    Just a few days ago, I posted on my favorite message board a question about the diamond system on non-traditional shape tables; in my question, those were round tables and hexagonal tables. How would the diamond system work on the elliptical table, specifically for carom and 3-cushion billiards without a pocket on the table?
    And thanks for expending the time, energy, and no doubt a fair chunk of change for the construction, to make this video. I find it fascinating.

    • @Corn0nTheCobb
      @Corn0nTheCobb Рік тому

      What's your favorite message board?
      (I have no idea what the diamond system is btw)

  • @tobywilson
    @tobywilson 9 років тому +584

    Oh lord that waistcoat gives some funky Moire patterns...

    • @jasondoe2596
      @jasondoe2596 9 років тому +21

      Yes, but that makes it even more awesome from a mathematical standpoint! It just means the (spacial) sampling frequency wasn't high enough!
      ;)

    • @eltyo340
      @eltyo340 9 років тому

      tobywilson My maths teacher wears a similar kind of vest when he's feeling fancy as well. Interesting coincidence? hmm

    • @JohannaMueller57
      @JohannaMueller57 9 років тому +10

      tobywilson watch it in 4K, no moiré there! just kidding, there is no 4K.

    • @j.m.ematthijsse6251
      @j.m.ematthijsse6251 6 років тому

      tobywilson aL1e

    • @imveryangryitsnotbutter
      @imveryangryitsnotbutter 6 років тому +5

      When a grid's misaligned
      With another behind
      That's a moiré

  • @AlanKey86
    @AlanKey86 9 років тому +345

    If the pool table were filled with water, then a stone dropped in at one focus would (after a little while) produce a splash at the other focus...
    How would Alex feel about flooding his creation? ;-)

    • @numberphile
      @numberphile  9 років тому +70

      AlanKey86 unlikely - but we can ask!

    • @piperisle9674
      @piperisle9674 9 років тому +27

      AlanKey86 I wouldn't want to see an expensive table flooded like that, but now I really am interested to see that done in an elliptical pool of water.

    • @AlexBellos
      @AlexBellos 9 років тому +44

      AlanKey86 Great idea. Then it really would merit the term pool...

    • @clawpro
      @clawpro 7 років тому +5

      AlanKey86 were can I get this table

    • @Davidsteer1
      @Davidsteer1 7 років тому

      AlanKey86 "

  • @arjunkr3924
    @arjunkr3924 3 роки тому +2

    You can also place the ball anywhere in the pool and aim at the focus point with a bit more force.
    Or you can directly aim at the hole.

  • @yanry7152
    @yanry7152 3 роки тому +2

    2:12 You gotta be very skillful
    The ball : i will destroy this man whole career
    Ellipse table : Not Today Bro

  • @Sethemiah
    @Sethemiah 7 років тому +3

    one of my fathers best friends was one of the engineers for the engines on the f-111, and he could break down how aerodynamics work going through a jet engine work so somebody like a child could understand it, and he could do it on a cocktail napkin. Genius of a man, but could break things down to as simple as a few lines with a bic pen.

  • @JuddNiemann
    @JuddNiemann 9 років тому +96

    You are going to have to build a parabolic pool table now

    • @AlmightyMatthew
      @AlmightyMatthew 9 років тому +5

      Judd Niemann not a bad idea

    • @costalongajp
      @costalongajp 8 років тому +2

      +Judd Niemann In a university I worked there was an elliptical, a parabolic and an hyperbolic table. Didn't work so well, but were convincing enough. It is not easy to build such tables with accuracy. His table is not quite elliptical, because the ball has not the size of point, the ellipse is the set of points whose distance from the border equals to the radius of the ball (if you are really thinking on built it actually have this in mind).

  • @chrisanderson687
    @chrisanderson687 7 років тому +7

    He said that you can only hit the ball into the hole if it begins at the other focus point, but I think there's another set of options: imagine placing the ball on the line that passes through the foci, but on the part of the green between the hole and the wall. Then hit the ball toward the wall. Wouldn't that work?

  • @Smurph-20
    @Smurph-20 4 роки тому +35

    Alex: Anywhere you hit the ball, it will go in
    Also Alex: It usually doesn't go in

  • @dougware5649
    @dougware5649 9 років тому +380

    Inaccurate - he says if it is not positioned on the focal point it will never go in. This is not correct. All that is needed is for you to aim the ball at either focal point, as this puts the path of the ball on a path for both focal points (assuming the proper pressure to rebound at the correct cushion depth, which is why too light or hard causes it to miss the hole).

    • @numberphile
      @numberphile  9 років тому +68

      Watch the second video!

    • @dougware5649
      @dougware5649 9 років тому +5

      Numberphile Yes, it still dances around the core concept - a ball passing through one focal point will pass through both focal points due to the geometry of the table (ignoring cushion depth and the pocket itself).
      Don't get me wrong, it's a really nice video (or I wouldn't have commented), but for a numberphile video I expected a better explanation/higher standard. Perhaps if you added a text overlay to the video the numerous comments like mine would cease. ;)
      Either way, keep up the good work, I love (most of) your videos, and this one only fell short on the technicality of your phrasing.
      Alternative game design (starting positions): place the 8 ball on the second focal point, and the two player balls on the mid-point of the far line of the isosceles triangles formed with both focal points and the cushion on either side. Then place the cue ball at the mid point between the pocket and the nadir at the "head" of the table. This starting position shouldn't favor either player (geometrically), but should present a challenge by maximizing the obstructions in sinking either of the player balls.

    • @dougware5649
      @dougware5649 9 років тому

      John Doe Wow, you either got it all wrong or you are out trolling in the deep end without a preserver. You are wrong about my motivation, you are wrong about my statement being whiny/bitchy, and you are wrong to believe that the second video addresses the accuracy of the statement I quoted from this video.
      Perhaps you are simply unaware of the general quality of the posts in numberphile. They are exceptionally well done 99% of the time, so when they get something so obviously wrong as what I've pointed out, there is every reason to call them to task for it, and I'm fairly certain that the fine folks in numberphile appreciate every bit of that. My original statement is valid, even with a full "correction" (which they have not done) in the second video - leaving the first video out there with an uncorrected line of "if it is not positioned on the focal point it will never go in" - will only create more people reacting with the obvious (and correct) "not true" line of thought. The correction is needed on the first video, not some vague adjustment in another video.
      Or perhaps you simply lack the emotional maturity to understand the modality of my second post, and projected your own gleeful "find" of something you (incorrectly) perceived as being wrong. Your post is both ironic and hypocritical, given that my post was on topic, correct, and not invalidated by any secondary video; while your post was off-topic, trollish, and childish - amounting to the bitchy little whiner that you projected onto me.
      Do us all a favor, and go find a less educated, professional, and mature channel to troll - or simply grow up and stay out of things you are unable to comprehend altogether.

    • @JohnDoe-po3ku
      @JohnDoe-po3ku 9 років тому +13

      i just read "meer lezen (42 regels)", which translates to "read more (42 lines)" i guess you have a serious ego problem man. I'm not gonna waste my time on your ramblings, which are just you trying to convince yourself you are clever

    • @0lemus0lent05
      @0lemus0lent05 9 років тому +17

      Why are you guys arguing and fighting? Wouldn't it be better to teach, learn and understand together?

  • @MyAce8
    @MyAce8 8 років тому +4

    as someone who programs in their spare time nothing makes me more happy than turning interesting mathematical truths into something that we can physically appreciate

  • @oswaldoculo
    @oswaldoculo 3 роки тому +2

    3:07 OMFG, I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANYMORE, I CAN'T I HAD ENOUGH

  • @tylerconway9941
    @tylerconway9941 5 років тому

    love this type of stuff. thanks for the tip.

  • @exe66
    @exe66 9 років тому +4

    This video is epicly produced! Love the effort of building a pool table in an elliptical shape.

  • @bigredbeanie3310
    @bigredbeanie3310 3 роки тому +1

    Every year this is recommended, Every year I rewatch it regardless

  • @jduddie2
    @jduddie2 7 років тому +1

    You also have to factor where on the ball you hit it because it'll spin differently. To much on the bottom will make it spin back towards you, to much on top will make it roll forward even after hitting something, to much left or right will curve it

    • @rodrigomunoz6496
      @rodrigomunoz6496 Рік тому

      Was thinking precisely the same. I don't think error has to do with speed so much, but rather hitting the ball in the middle.

  • @madelinesparks6145
    @madelinesparks6145 7 років тому +989

    Wtf is up with his vest

    • @JustOneGuy
      @JustOneGuy 7 років тому +77

      Aliasing.

    • @marcyeo1
      @marcyeo1 7 років тому

      is that not what i said

    • @DJ_POOP_IT_OUT_FEAT_LIL_WiiWii
      @DJ_POOP_IT_OUT_FEAT_LIL_WiiWii 7 років тому +6

      ***** I didn't get the 'line up' part. To me it's an aliasing error, not about lining up, more about having to approximate between 2 values because of the lower resolution. I believe it does indeed line up, otherwise the camera wouldn't pick it up.

    • @brooksbrooks6805
      @brooksbrooks6805 7 років тому +9

      Malcolm Sparks professional pool players wear a dress code vest for big matches

    • @OrigamiMarie
      @OrigamiMarie 7 років тому +13

      Moire pattern. You can look it up for more detail, but I can put a messy explanation here. If you take two mesh screens (like window screens), hold one in front of the other, stand back, and move your head back and forth, you'll see patterns that are bigger and more complicated than the mesh. Similar effect here: something about the grid of his vest (maybe the reflective qualities of the weave?) is aligning strangely with the camera sensor grid and resulting in larger interference patterns.

  • @lcg3092
    @lcg3092 7 років тому +8

    1:18 hmm, while it's true that if it's in the focus it should rebound to the pocket regardless of where you shoot, when it's not in the focus you can still rebound to the pocket, it's just that you are limited to shoot it in the direction of the focus and then it will rebound correctly

  • @HunchoBBQ
    @HunchoBBQ 3 роки тому

    I’ve seen this video like 10 time but whenever it comes into my recommended I always watch it

  • @rwburdett
    @rwburdett 2 роки тому

    Mad. Fascinating, but loopy. Well done.

  • @riparianlife97701
    @riparianlife97701 8 років тому +17

    Give me a beer. I can make it not go in the hole.

  • @babylonian
    @babylonian 8 років тому +528

    is that Andy Serkis

    • @Calsta84
      @Calsta84 8 років тому +23

      i thought it was Martin Sheen

    • @denisewing2494
      @denisewing2494 8 років тому

      +Calsta84 is it not?

    • @aurelia65536
      @aurelia65536 7 років тому +2

      Love this soft sweet boy!

    • @stevethea5250
      @stevethea5250 6 років тому +1

      No it’s the lycanthrope from Underworld

    • @Tauri9111
      @Tauri9111 6 років тому

      i thought same :D

  • @Schauspiels
    @Schauspiels 7 років тому +6

    3:03 That might be the most satisfying thing I've ever seen.

  • @keywhyesh.7645
    @keywhyesh.7645 3 роки тому +3

    Love how they did not crop the slow motion ball from rounding around the hole faster and faster for satisfaction reasons while he continiued talking

  • @visualdragon
    @visualdragon 9 років тому +348

    And that's a bad miss. ..

    • @McJaews
      @McJaews 9 років тому +15

      visualdragon *snaps a quick salute, since this guy gets it*

    • @kyledoyle9864
      @kyledoyle9864 9 років тому +25

      Next up, elliptical dog poker...

    • @KhanggiTanka
      @KhanggiTanka 8 років тому +2

      +visualdragon That bar is badly understaffed

    • @parthiancapitalist2733
      @parthiancapitalist2733 6 років тому

      British English for you

    • @nasyithrahman9594
      @nasyithrahman9594 5 років тому +2

      That's a cracking pot!

  • @vivianjames357
    @vivianjames357 9 років тому +20

    so the shot may be harder because the hole is so small but oooo I can feel for myself how satisfying it must be to get it in and see it circle around the rim before finally settling in knowing full well that youve made it and are just savoring the anticipation

  • @soliton4
    @soliton4 6 років тому

    you can place the ball anywhere and aim for the focus point, or exactly away from the focus point. so you can hit the hole via rebound from everywhere

  • @osainista
    @osainista 6 років тому +3

    Love this! Thanks for building and sharing. IF each different shot (ie. different angle) is hit with exactly the same energy, is the duration of the shot (ie. transit time to the pocket) the exact same?

  • @Randomositydude
    @Randomositydude 9 років тому +159

    But you should be able to get it in from anywhere on the table if you send it through the focus point right?

    • @numberphile
      @numberphile  9 років тому +8

      Randomositydude watch the second video --- ua-cam.com/video/3WHBlPvK3Ek/v-deo.html

    • @Randomositydude
      @Randomositydude 9 років тому

      Thanks (I do normally also watch the second videos don't know why I didn't today)

    • @HRHooChicken
      @HRHooChicken 8 років тому +11

      +Randomositydude I reckon the spin you put on the ball will also play a role

    • @peterjsutherland
      @peterjsutherland 6 років тому +1

      Or directly away from the focus point...

  • @red8ball864
    @red8ball864 7 років тому +5

    What I find the most interesting part is the size of the table.
    This could catch on for that reason.
    Refined the rules and put in on Dragon's Den would be my suggestion.

  • @Thereadingmusiclover
    @Thereadingmusiclover 6 років тому

    The reason that it takes a certain force to get it into the pocket is due to the soft sides, they compress more with more force, changing the curve of the circle slightly, causing the angle to change.

  • @Arktik1st
    @Arktik1st 4 роки тому

    thanks for showing me this, now I want to play on it

  • @edancoll3250
    @edancoll3250 9 років тому +18

    New game: Kepler's pool. You play in microgravity, add a massive "sun" at the center and try to get the balls to orbit their way into the pocket.

    • @carultch
      @carultch 8 років тому +3

      +Edan Coll
      Kepler makes a great janitor. He doesn't mind the monotony, he sweeps out the same area every night.

  • @klaasbarends
    @klaasbarends 9 років тому +5

    shut up, take my money, I want this pool table :-)

  • @ThatOpalGuy
    @ThatOpalGuy 2 роки тому

    The slow motion of it going into the hole is a great visualization of precession.

  • @commedyslayer2609
    @commedyslayer2609 5 років тому +4

    I always wondered, wouldn't you always pot the ball in a normal biliard if you hit it with the right amount of power? (with the contition that you can put as much power as you want.)

    • @falconerd343
      @falconerd343 4 роки тому +1

      No, if you hit it perfectly perpendicular to a wall (provided the hole isn't at that point of the wall) it will just bounce back and forth between the walls indefinitely.

  • @jakobygames
    @jakobygames 8 років тому +438

    I need a gif of 2:27

    • @212superdude212
      @212superdude212 7 років тому +83

      make one then

    • @TrucSale
      @TrucSale 7 років тому +12

      so lewd tho

    • @hatzijohn7672
      @hatzijohn7672 7 років тому +30

      DUDE I'M ABOUT TO SMASH THAT SCREEN IF THE BALL DOESN'T FALL IN

    • @sx9i
      @sx9i 7 років тому +34

      It looks kinda sexual

    • @lotizorro
      @lotizorro 7 років тому +1

      JakobyGames i

  • @premghinde5560
    @premghinde5560 9 років тому +82

    It's pool. But not like you've ever seen it before. Welcome to Loop.

  • @bryanvazquez2553
    @bryanvazquez2553 5 років тому +1

    Y'all cant even lie that intro was smooth af

  • @c-5921
    @c-5921 2 роки тому +1

    "It's nice that you dressed up for the occasion."
    "I what?"

  • @umeyrmuhammad
    @umeyrmuhammad 5 років тому +4

    Finally a table where I can show my talent

  • @victorvescu
    @victorvescu 9 років тому +8

    This is awesome! How can I buy one of these?

  • @dalirkosimov2576
    @dalirkosimov2576 6 років тому

    I'm glad 2 million people are following a maths channel.

  • @GJBilliards
    @GJBilliards 2 роки тому

    Cool demo!

  • @tbd5330
    @tbd5330 3 роки тому +6

    1:15 it can still go in through rebound even if the ball is not on the focus point. The key for doing this is that you have to hit the ball along the line segment joining the focus point(without hole), the perimeter of the table and the position of the ball

    • @GoriIIaTactics
      @GoriIIaTactics 2 роки тому +4

      Or you can simplify this sentence and say you just need to aim at the focal point

    • @tbd5330
      @tbd5330 2 роки тому

      @@GoriIIaTactics that's not what i meant but i guess that will work too

    • @GoriIIaTactics
      @GoriIIaTactics 2 роки тому

      @@tbd5330 that's exactly what you meant. If you aim a ball through a line segment that contains the focus point, you're aiming at the focus point. No need to make it more complicated

    • @tbd5330
      @tbd5330 2 роки тому

      @@GoriIIaTactics yeah but i was aiming for the perimeter of the table

  • @imveryangryitsnotbutter
    @imveryangryitsnotbutter 8 років тому +108

    "Ellipses are an interesting type of shape because they can come in an infinite number of varieties."
    Isn't this true for any type of shape?

    • @Agent-1220
      @Agent-1220 8 років тому +35

      No. Think of squares. Resizing =/= changing variety.

    • @imveryangryitsnotbutter
      @imveryangryitsnotbutter 8 років тому +26

      Agent1220
      It is, however, true for triangles, rectangles, parallelograms, rhombuses, trapezoids, pentagons, hexagons...

    • @gavinbynum7879
      @gavinbynum7879 4 роки тому +1

      Square

    • @tykimkim
      @tykimkim 4 роки тому +50

      @@imveryangryitsnotbutter You're forgetting that mathematicians will find any type of shape interesting

    • @imveryangryitsnotbutter
      @imveryangryitsnotbutter 4 роки тому +9

      @@tykimkim Sure, but if you're going to geek out over one kind of shape, you should at least mention one kind of property that makes it unique from all the other shapes.

  • @michaelgrace3620
    @michaelgrace3620 6 років тому

    I remember playing on a hexagon shaped table once, and you could swivel the table so you took a shot from where you always stood, as it was stuck in the corner, was in reding actually

  • @twentyonechurros
    @twentyonechurros 4 роки тому

    You’re almost at 3.14 mil and your pfp will be even better

  • @sjwimmel
    @sjwimmel 3 роки тому +4

    Interesting! One correction: at 1:17 you say "if it's here, wherever I rebound it it will never go in", that's not actually true. It's always on one of the 'sure to go in' paths, so if you hit it while the cue is over the focus point the ball will continue on the path and go in.

  • @Madoc_EU
    @Madoc_EU 9 років тому +6

    Where are all the other balls? - Guys, I want to see you play this with the whole set of billard balls.

    • @numberphile
      @numberphile  9 років тому

      Matthias J. Déjà seen the second video? ua-cam.com/video/3WHBlPvK3Ek/v-deo.html

  • @masterdurick5667
    @masterdurick5667 3 роки тому

    If you hit with a tiny amount of running english, just enough to be the gearing amount to counteract the friction on a rail... and if you stun the ball at the moment it hits the rail (so it has no forward roll when it hits the rail), I'm interested to see if this works every single time.

  • @MICRORuchit
    @MICRORuchit 5 років тому

    I comeback to this video time and time again.

  • @x44jackal44x
    @x44jackal44x 8 років тому +52

    ughhh the moire on his shirt from the tight pattern

  • @nephdrummond3168
    @nephdrummond3168 8 років тому +12

    Someone needs to gif the ball going in when they zoomed in, but really fast

  • @CanIUseYourJohn
    @CanIUseYourJohn 6 років тому

    This is the best thing I've seen all day

  • @TheSecretSause
    @TheSecretSause 4 роки тому

    Numberphile : i won’t get this first try, its really hard
    also Numberphile : nails it first try

  • @parthiancapitalist2733
    @parthiancapitalist2733 6 років тому +5

    What is the eccentricity of the table? Or does it not matter?

    • @laurentp89
      @laurentp89 6 років тому

      0.43

    • @purpleice2343
      @purpleice2343 6 років тому

      I'm pretty sure it was in the video...
      But no, it doesn't matter, it will work the same in pretty much any ellipse.

  • @RatatRatR
    @RatatRatR 3 роки тому +7

    "It'll always go into the hole provided you hit it exactly perfectly right" is a little less impressive than it might initially seem.
    Having said that, man oh man do I want that table.

  • @daviazev
    @daviazev 3 роки тому

    I'm in love with this video.

  • @cheesesteakphilly
    @cheesesteakphilly 6 років тому

    You have very interesting videos. Subbed

  • @bradleynathanson2709
    @bradleynathanson2709 5 років тому +7

    2:27 REEEEEEEEE GO INNNN

  • @DemoBytom
    @DemoBytom 9 років тому +41

    I studied computer graphics, and while, one of my projects was to code a pool table game, I'm more fascinated by the interferention on his vest at the beginning :P
    Cool table though and I love the attitude of "why build it? It's science, the question should be why not!" :P
    Also, I remember reading a theory that, on a regular pool table, if you place a ball on any place and hit it with enough force, and it hits the pool wall on any non-right angle, it will, eventually fall into the socket. Is that true?

    • @Algorhythm027
      @Algorhythm027 9 років тому +4

      DemoBytom no. things like recurring decimals show this in that the ball, if it rebounds perfectly (no side deformation/chaotic instability), it could fall into a recurring pattern that never encounters a pocket. however with the chaotic effects of friction, spin and the deformation of the sides you could probably set something up that covers every point on the table, let alone the pockets.

    • @yohopostop
      @yohopostop 9 років тому +3

      DemoBytom Hit any cushion at 45 degrees. You can show that the ball will get into a loop without entering a pocket. In fact, I believe you can show that for any angle t for which tan(t) is a rational number, there are places on the cushion where a ball hitting at angle t will never enter a pocket.

    • @DemoBytom
      @DemoBytom 9 років тому

      yohopostop Ye, the 45 degrees thing is what I thought right after posting that comment.. I must be miss remembering something about that theory, it's been almost 10 years ago that I heard it :/ Or it's just flat out wrong, I dunno anymore :P

    • @yohopostop
      @yohopostop 9 років тому

      DemoBytom If you want to investigate more, you can exploit symmetry. You can show that a ball rebounding and entering a pocket is isomorphic to a diagonal straight line hitting an intersection on a regular square grid (imagine instead of the ball bouncing off a rest, it passes straight through into a mirrored version of the table).
      If the angle has a rational tan then starting at one intersection point on the grid, the line will meet another intersection point in a finite distance. Then move this line a little across and it won't hit any intersection points.
      If the angle has an irrational tan, I believe it will always intersect with a grid intersection point, but I don't have a proof of this.

    • @JayFe0
      @JayFe0 9 років тому +1

      DemoBytom I spotted that too. I think it's a Moiré pattern caused by the different angles between the pixels in the camera sensor and the stripes on his shirt. At first I thought it was the pixels on my screen but if you watch it at 240p they're still there so it's encoded in the video.
      Source: I came across it on Wikipedia a few months ago: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moir%C3%A9_pattern

  • @fexy2910
    @fexy2910 3 роки тому +1

    So would this work with any elipse, where one focus point is a hole, and other is where you hit it from?

  • @oscarvelocitymusic
    @oscarvelocitymusic 8 місяців тому +1

    sidespin: “laughing hysterically”

  • @I3estHer0
    @I3estHer0 9 років тому +5

    1:19 , wrong, if you shoot it through the focus point it will go into the hole

    • @numberphile
      @numberphile  9 років тому +5

      I3estHer0 watch the second video!

  • @4gerars500
    @4gerars500 4 роки тому +66

    When u let the smart kid play sports

    • @papas894
      @papas894 4 роки тому +2

      💀💀💀

    • @barritoothy
      @barritoothy 3 роки тому +1

      ✂️✂️✂️✂️

  • @NANONilsWORLD
    @NANONilsWORLD 5 років тому

    so cool, a round table... I want this for the 1.April ^^

  • @gsas3012
    @gsas3012 3 роки тому +1

    This just was amazing

  • @isaofujii7817
    @isaofujii7817 8 років тому +5

    What about a perfectly triangular pool table?

  • @MaxG628
    @MaxG628 9 років тому +748

    I'm sorry but that is just an awful vest to wear on camera. Cool table though.

    • @numberphile
      @numberphile  9 років тому +126

      Max Goldstein ssshhh, Alex loves that vest!

    • @nonindividual
      @nonindividual 9 років тому +38

      Numberphile I think Alex looks stylish and sharp. But then I am a mathematician.

    • @MaxG628
      @MaxG628 9 років тому +47

      I think it's a fine vest in person, but on camera it gets distorted and causes artifacts because of the fine pattern.

    • @daleykun
      @daleykun 9 років тому +5

      Max Goldstein Americans (sorry of you're not, I'm assuming here) call a waistcoat a vest..?

    • @mrboom095
      @mrboom095 9 років тому +29

      But without the vest he loses is billiards power

  • @MinuteMaths
    @MinuteMaths 6 років тому

    I do wonder if this will ever take off? It would be pretty cool to see professionals make this into a sport and see it on ESPN.

  • @philkaw
    @philkaw 2 роки тому

    I'm studying conic sections at University, and this was linked on the problem sheet. I am crying.

  • @LutzDerLurch
    @LutzDerLurch 8 років тому +4

    I think it's wrong to say the ball will never go in if it lies anywhere but the focal point. I would imagine, that whereever the ball lies, it can go into the pocket, if it is played in such a directions, as to simulate it yoming from the focal point

    • @hoodedathlete6626
      @hoodedathlete6626 7 років тому

      LutzDerLurch You can get the ball in the hole from anywhere on the board, the focal point is the only place mathematically that hitting the ball in any direction causes the ball to go in.

    • @LutzDerLurch
      @LutzDerLurch 7 років тому +1

      HoodedAthlete6
      yupp. That's what i meant.

  • @joshuaosuna7256
    @joshuaosuna7256 7 років тому +56

    Just hit it really hard in any direction, it's most likely going to roll into the hole

    • @miromitchell5764
      @miromitchell5764 4 роки тому +1

      Joshua Osuna that is utterly I correct

    • @ArtyMars
      @ArtyMars 3 роки тому +2

      Did you even watch the video 😂

    • @alexcrowley2635
      @alexcrowley2635 3 роки тому

      @@ArtyMars the video showed if you hit it kinda hard, Joshua is suggesting if you hit really hard, it’ll hit another rebound eventually that’ll send it back to the hole again and slow enough.

  • @sp-pz8uc
    @sp-pz8uc 3 роки тому

    That's going to help me so much, when I get a round snooker table.

  • @ibieiniid4240
    @ibieiniid4240 6 років тому

    Watching the ball circle the hole made this whole video worth it.

  • @ben1996123
    @ben1996123 9 років тому +8

    whats the perimeter of that ellipse

    • @benbooth2783
      @benbooth2783 9 років тому

      ben1996123 The area is pi*a*b where a and b are semi-major and semi-minor axes. That the distance from the centre to farthest edge and shortest edge, a circle is a unique case of an ellipse where the major and minor axes are the same.
      The perimeter of a ellipse is a hard problem which inspired a new branch of mathematics check out the wikipedia page: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellipse

    • @ben1996123
      @ben1996123 9 років тому

      Ben Booth yes i know

    • @NFITC1
      @NFITC1 9 років тому

      ben1996123 The perimeter is unimportant. It does, however, have a direct relationship to the focal points, the distance between them and a chosen semi-major axis length. On this table the semi-major and semi-minor axes look near equal (though obviously not since it does have two focal points).

    • @ben1996123
      @ben1996123 9 років тому

      NFITC1 yes i know. but perimeter of an ellipse is an interesting thing to calculate

    • @NFITC1
      @NFITC1 9 років тому

      ben1996123
      Oh, so you're suggesting a new video? I'm all for that.