You Do The Math

Remember back in school when we used to say to the teacher, "what's the use doing this #&*%? We ain't never gonna use it."

Well, I have found a use for it. "It" in this case being mathematical equations, to wit, (A + B)/2 = C.

A is the temperature of the water in a swimming pool.
B is the ambient air temperature in degrees Fahrenheit. If you wish to use degrees Centigrade, then use D, where D = 1.8B+ 32.
C is the probability, as a percent, that you will get into the pool.

Of course C will never get above 100, nor will it go below 0. It is after all a probability. So by definition, if (A + B)/2 > 100, then C is set to 100, and if (A + B)/2 < 0, then C is set to 0.

Take today for instance. We had a high of 92, and the pool water temperature was probably about 68. That means (68 + 92)/2 = 80. Eighty per cent probability of getting in the pool was about right today, and in fact, I did spend some time paddling back and forth, and it felt really, really good.

Let's look at next Monday. The forecast high for next Monday is 69, and with the increasing long nights, the pool water isn't going to get any warmer. I will estimate water temperature next Monday to be 65. That means (65 + 69)/2 = 67. Although it could occur, I wouldn't hold your breath on that one, unless the water temperature shot up to about 90, but that's not going to happen.

We've got one more day of temps in the 90's, and I may be in the pool tomorrow again just because I know that time is running out, but I'm thinking that, regrettably, the swimming season is coming to a close.

Sigh.