{"id":5766,"date":"2026-01-17T17:09:27","date_gmt":"2026-01-17T17:09:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jwilliamcupp.name\/blog\/?p=5766"},"modified":"2026-01-17T17:21:34","modified_gmt":"2026-01-17T17:21:34","slug":"combing-fun-with-ai-and-from-the-archives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jwilliamcupp.name\/blog\/combing-fun-with-ai-and-from-the-archives\/","title":{"rendered":"Combing Fun with AI and From the Archives"},"content":{"rendered":"

In my random quip file there is the quote \u201cI once converted meters per second to furlongs per fortnight to make the point about the clumsiness of English units.\u201d Finding this in the archives:<\/p>\n

One furlong per fortnight is very nearly 1 centimetre per minute (to within 1 part in 400). Besides having the meaning of “any obscure unit”, furlongs per fortnight have also served frequently in the classroom as an example on how to reduce a unit’s fraction. The speed of light may be expressed as being roughly 1.8 terafurlongs per fortnight. More conveniently (albeit not necessarily more commonly) expressed as 1.8 mega-furlongs per micro-fortnight.<\/p>\n

Interestingly, 1 attoparsec\/microfortnight is nearly 1 inch\/second (the actual figure is about 1.0043 inches per second, or approximately 2.55 cm\/s).<\/p>\n

To update that, we turn to AI. Notice that some of the results change a bit.<\/p>\n

To convert from furlongs per fortnight<\/b> (fpF) to miles per hour<\/b> (mph), we need to follow several steps, including unit conversions for distance and time. Here’s how to break it down:<\/p>\n

Step 1: Understand the units<\/b><\/h4>\n
  • Furlong<\/b>: 1 furlong = 1 \/ 8 of a mile.<\/li>\n
  • Fortnight<\/b>: 1 fortnight = 14 days.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Step 2: Convert furlongs to miles<\/b><\/h4>\n

    Since 1 furlong = 1 \/ 8 mile, we can express furlongs in miles:<\/p>\n

    1 furlong = 0.125 miles<\/p>\n

    Step 3: Convert fortnight to hours<\/b><\/h4>\n

    Now let’s convert fortnights to hours.<\/p>\n

    1 day = 24 hours
    1 fortnight = 14 days<\/p>\n

    So, we calculate the total hours in a fortnight:<\/p>\n

    14 days \u00d7 24 hours \/ day = 336 hours<\/p>\n

    Step 4: Set up the conversion<\/b><\/h4>\n

    Now, let\u2019s set up the full conversion:<\/p>\n

    1 furlong per fortnight can be expressed in miles per hour as follows:<\/p>\n

    Speed in mph = Speed in fpF \u00d7 (0.125 miles \/1 furlong\u200b) \u00d7 (1 fortnight \/\u200b 336 hours)<\/p>\n

    Step 5: Combine the conversions<\/b><\/h4>\n

    When combining all these components, we have:<\/p>\n

    Speed in mph = Speed in fpF \u00d7 (0.125 miles\u200b \/ 336 hours)<\/p>\n

    Step 6: Simplify the expression<\/b><\/h4>\n

    This gives us:<\/p>\n

    Speed in mph = Speed in fpF \u00d7 0.125\u200b \/ 336<\/p>\n

    Calculation<\/b><\/h4>\n

    Now, let\u2019s calculate 0.125\/336\u200b:<\/p>\n

    0.125\/336\u200b \u2248 0.0003720238<\/p>\n

    This means:<\/p>\n

    1 fpF \u2248 0.0003720238 mph<\/p>\n

    Conclusion<\/b><\/h4>\n

    To convert speed from furlongs per fortnight<\/b> to miles per hour<\/b>, you multiply the number of furlongs per fortnight by approximately 0.000372<\/b>.<\/p>\n

    For example: If you had a speed of 100 fpF, the conversion would be:<\/p>\n

    100 fpF \u00d7 0.000372 \u2248 0.0372 mph<\/p>\n

    By following these steps, we have successfully converted the unit from furlongs per fortnight to miles per hour!<\/p>\n

    To convert from furlongs per fortnight<\/b> (fpF) to feet per second<\/b> (fps), we\u2019ll follow a series of conversion steps similar to the previous process.<\/p>\n

    Step 1: Understand the units<\/b><\/h4>\n
  • Furlong<\/b>: 1 furlong = 660 feet.<\/li>\n
  • Fortnight<\/b>: 1 fortnight = 14 days.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Step 2: Convert furlongs to feet<\/b><\/h4>\n

    We can directly convert furlongs to feet:<\/p>\n

    1 furlong = 660 feet<\/p>\n

    Step 3: Convert fortnight to seconds<\/b><\/h4>\n

    Now let’s convert fortnights to seconds.<\/p>\n

    1 day = 24 hours
    1 hour = 60 minutes
    1 minute = 60 seconds<\/p>\n

    So, calculating the total seconds in a fortnight:<\/p>\n

    Total seconds = 14 days \u00d7 24 hours \/ day \u00d7 60 minutes \/ hour \u00d7 60 seconds \/ minute<\/p>\n

    Calculating this step-by-step:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. 14 days \u00d7 24 hours \/ day = 336 hours<\/li>\n
    2. 336 hours \u00d7 60 minutes \/ hour = 20,160 minutes<\/li>\n
    3. 20,160 minutes \u00d7 60 seconds \/ minute = 1,209,600 seconds<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      So, 1 fortnight = 1,209,600 seconds.<\/p>\n

      Step 4: Set up the conversion<\/b><\/h4>\n

      We can express the speed in feet per second like this:<\/p>\n

      Speed in fps = Speed in fpF \u00d7 (660 feet \/ \u200b1 furlong) \u00d7 (1 fortnight\u200b \/ 1,209,600 seconds)<\/p>\n

      Step 5: Combine the conversions<\/b><\/h4>\n

      Now, we can write:<\/p>\n

      Speed in fps = Speed in fpF \u00d7 (660 feet \/ 1,209,600 seconds)\u200b<\/p>\n

      Step 6: Simplify the expression<\/b><\/h4>\n

      Calculating 660 \/ 1,209,600:<\/p>\n

      660 \/ 1,209,600\u200b \u2248 0.000545<\/p>\n

      Thus, we can say:<\/p>\n

      1 fpF \u2248 0.000545 fps<\/p>\n

      Conclusion<\/b><\/h4>\n

      To convert speed from furlongs per fortnight<\/b> to feet per second<\/b>, you multiply by approximately 0.000545<\/b>.<\/p>\n

      For example, if you had a speed of 100 fpF, the conversion would be:<\/p>\n

      100 fpF \u00d7 0.000545 \u2248 0.0545 fps<\/p>\n

      This completes the conversion to feet per second!<\/p>\n

      To convert from furlongs per fortnight<\/b> (fpF) to centimeters per fortnight<\/b> (cm \/ ft), we need to follow a series of steps, focusing primarily on the conversion of distance units.<\/p>\n

      Step 1: Understand the units<\/b><\/h4>\n
    4. Furlong<\/b>: 1 furlong = 660 feet.<\/li>\n
    5. Centimeter<\/b>: 1 foot = 30.48 centimeters.<\/li>\n
    6. Fortnight<\/b>: This unit contains time, but since we are converting speed and will not change the time component, we’ll keep it as is.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Step 2: Convert furlongs to feet<\/b><\/h4>\n

      As we’ve established, we know:<\/p>\n

      1 furlong = 660 feet<\/p>\n

      Step 3: Convert feet to centimeters<\/b><\/h4>\n

      Now we will convert feet to centimeters:<\/p>\n

      1 foot = 30.48 centimeters<\/p>\n

      Step 4: Combine the conversions<\/b><\/h4>\n

      To convert from furlongs to centimeters, we need to multiply the number of furlongs by the conversion to feet, and then by the conversion to centimeters:<\/p>\n

      1 furlong = 660 feet \u00d7 30.48 cm \/ foot<\/p>\n

      Calculating this gives:<\/p>\n

      1 furlong in centimeters = 660 \u00d7 30.48 = 20,116.8 centimeters<\/p>\n

      Step 5: Set up the full conversion<\/b><\/h4>\n

      Now, let’s express the conversion from furlongs per fortnight<\/b> to centimeters per fortnight<\/b>:<\/p>\n

      Speed in cm \/ ft = Speed in fpF \u00d7 (20,116.8 cm\/1 furlong\u200b)<\/p>\n

      Step 6: Simplify the expression<\/b><\/h4>\n

      Therefore:<\/p>\n

      Speed in cm \/ ft = Speed in fpF \u00d7 20,116.8<\/p>\n

      Conclusion<\/b><\/h4>\n

      To convert speed from furlongs per fortnight<\/b> to centimeters per fortnight<\/b>, you multiply the number of furlongs per fortnight by 20,116.8<\/b>.<\/p>\n

      For example, if you had a speed of 100 fpF, the conversion would be:<\/p>\n

      100 fpF \u00d7 20,116.8 \u2248 2,011,680 cm \/ ft<\/p>\n

      This completes the conversion to centimeters per fortnight!<\/p>\n

      To express the speed of light in units of furlongs per fortnight<\/b> (fpF), we will start with the known speed of light in miles per hour and convert it step by step.<\/p>\n

      Step 1: Speed of Light<\/b><\/h4>\n

      The speed of light in a vacuum is approximately:<\/p>\n

      299,792,458 meters per second<\/b>.<\/p>\n

      Step 2: Convert to Miles per Hour<\/b><\/h4>\n
        \n
      1. Convert meters to miles<\/b>:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
      2. 1 mile = 1,609.344 meters.<\/li>\n
      3. Thus,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Speed of light in miles = 1,609.344 meters \/ mile299,792,458 meters \/ sec\u200b \u2248 186,282.397 miles \/ sec.<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Convert seconds to hours<\/b>:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
        2. There are 3,600 seconds in an hour.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Speed of light in mph = 186,282.397 miles \/ sec \u00d7 3,600 seconds \/ hour \u2248 670,616,629 mph.<\/p>\n

          Step 3: Convert to Furlongs per Fortnight<\/b><\/h4>\n

          From our previous conversions:<\/p>\n

            \n
          1. Convert miles to furlongs<\/b>:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
          2. 1 mile = 8 furlongs.<\/li>\n
          3. Hence,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Speed of light in fpF = 670,616,629 mph \u00d7 8 furlongs \/ mile = 5,364,932,032 fpH.<\/p>\n

              \n
            1. Convert hours to fortnights<\/b>:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
            2. There are 336 hours in a fortnight (14 days).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Speed of light in fpF = 5,364,932,032 fpH \/ (336 hours \/ fortnight)\u200b \u2248 15,955,388.444 fpF.<\/p>\n

              Conclusion<\/b><\/h4>\n

              The speed of light is approximately:<\/p>\n

              15,955,388.444 furlongs per fortnight (fpF)<\/b>.<\/p>\n

              To express the speed of light in units of mega-furlongs per micro-fortnight<\/b> (MFp\u03bcF), we will go through a series of conversions step-by-step.<\/p>\n

              Step 1: Understand the Units<\/b><\/h4>\n
                \n
              1. Furlong<\/b>: 1 furlong = 660 feet.<\/li>\n
              2. Mega-furlong (MF)<\/b>: 1 MF = 106<\/sup> furlongs.<\/li>\n
              3. Fortnight<\/b>: This contains time, but we’ll use it for conversion.<\/li>\n
              4. Micro-fortnight (\u03bcF)<\/b>: 1 \u03bcF = 10\u22126<\/sup> fortnights.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                Step 2: Speed of Light<\/b><\/h4>\n

                We will use the common approximation of the speed of light as 3 \u00d7 10<\/b>8<\/b><\/sup><\/b> meters per second<\/b>.<\/p>\n

                Step 3: Convert Speed to Furlongs per Second<\/b><\/h4>\n
                  \n
                1. Convert meters to furlongs<\/b>:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                2. 1 mile = 1,609.344 meters and 1 mile = 8 furlongs, so:<\/li>\n
                3. 1 furlong = 1,609.344\/8\u200b = 201.168 meters.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                    \n
                  1. Thus,<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                    Speed in fpS = 3 \u00d7 108 m\/sec \/ 201.168 m\/furlong\u200b \u2248 1,489,999.999 fpS.<\/p>\n

                    Step 4: Convert to Furlongs per Fortnight<\/b><\/h4>\n
                      \n
                    1. Convert seconds to fortnights<\/b>:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                    2. There are 3,600 seconds \/ hour and 24 hours \/ day and 14 days \/ fortnight, so:<\/li>\n
                    3. 1 fortnight = 3,600 \u00d7 24 \u00d7 14 = 1,209,600 seconds.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                        \n
                      1. Now, convert fpS<\/b> to fpF<\/b>:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                        Speed in fpF = Speed in fpS \u00d7 1,209,600 seconds \/ fortnight \u2248 1,489,999.999 \u00d7 1,209,600 \u2248 1,802,271,059,117.664 fpF.<\/p>\n

                        Step 5: Convert to Mega-furlongs per Micro-fortnight<\/b><\/h4>\n

                        Now we need to convert from furlongs per fortnight<\/b> to mega-furlongs per micro-fortnight<\/b>:<\/p>\n

                          \n
                        1. Convert fpF to MFp\u03bcF<\/b>:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                        2. 1 MF = 106<\/sup> furlongs and 1 \u03bcF = 10\u22126<\/sup> fortnights.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                          Therefore,<\/p>\n

                          Speed in MFp\u03bcF = 1,802,271,059,117.664 \/ (106<\/sup> furlongs \/ MF \u00d7 10\u22126 <\/sup>fortnights \/ \u03bcF)\u200b = 1,802,271.059 MFp\u03bcF.<\/p>\n

                          Conclusion<\/b><\/h4>\n

                          The speed of light is approximately:<\/p>\n

                          1,802,271.059 mega-furlongs per micro-fortnight (MFp\u03bcF)<\/b>.<\/p>\n

                          To convert from attoparsecs per microfortnight<\/b> (aPC \/ \u03bcF) to inches per second<\/b> (in \/ s), we will follow these conversion steps:<\/p>\n

                          Step 1: Understand the Units<\/b><\/h4>\n
                            \n
                          1. Attoparsec (aPC)<\/b>:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                          2. 1 aPC = 10\u221218<\/sup> parsecs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                              \n
                            1. Parsec<\/b>:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                            2. 1 parsec \u2248 3.086 \u00d7 1016<\/sup> meters.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                                \n
                              1. Microfortnight (\u03bcF)<\/b>:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                              2. 1 \u03bcF = 10\u22126<\/sup> fortnights.<\/li>\n
                              3. 1 fortnight = 14 days = 14 \u00d7 24 \u00d7 3600 seconds = 1,209,600 seconds.<\/li>\n
                              4. So, 1 \u03bcF = 1,209,600 \/ 106<\/sup> seconds\u200b = 1.2096 seconds.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                Step 2: Set up the Conversion<\/b><\/h4>\n

                                We need to convert aPC \/ \u03bcF to in \/ s.<\/p>\n

                                  \n
                                1. Convert attoparsecs to meters<\/b>:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                2. 1 aPC = 10\u221218 \u00d7 3.086 \u00d7 1016 m \u2248 0.03086 m.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                                    \n
                                  1. Convert to inches<\/b>:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                  2. 1 inch = 0.0254 meters.<\/li>\n
                                  3. So,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                    1 aPC \u2248 0.03086 m \/ (0.0254 m\/inch)\u200b \u2248 1.216 inches.<\/p>\n

                                    Step 3: Combine the Conversions<\/b><\/h4>\n

                                    Now, for the conversion factor:<\/p>\n

                                    1 \u03bcF \/ 1 aPC\u200b needs to be calculated:<\/p>\n

                                    Using our findings above:<\/p>\n

                                    Inches per second = Speed in aPC \/ \u03bcF \u00d7 (1.2096 seconds \/ 1.216 inches\u200b).<\/p>\n

                                    Step 4: Express as a Direct Conversion<\/b><\/h4>\n

                                    Now we express this in a formula:<\/p>\n

                                    Inches per second = Speed in aPC \/ \u03bcF \u00d7 1.2096\/1.216\u200b<\/p>\n

                                    Calculating the conversion factor:<\/p>\n

                                    1.2096\/1.216\u200b \u2248 1.0054.<\/p>\n

                                    Final Expression<\/b><\/h4>\n

                                    Putting it all together, to convert from attoparsecs per microfortnight<\/b> to inches per second<\/b>, use:<\/p>\n

                                    Inches per second \u2248 Speed in aPC \/ \u03bcF \u00d7 1.0054.<\/p>\n

                                    This means that for every 1 aPC \/ \u03bcF, it results in approximately 1.0054 in \/ s.<\/p>\n

                                    \n

                                    The bottom line from this<\/b> is two-fold:<\/h2>\n