Which state has the highest ratio of coastline to land border?
The expected answer is Hawaii, since it has coastline and no land borders, so the ratio is infinite. People often don't think about it because they picture a map of the 48 contiguous states.
But lately I've been wondering about the question. Technically, speaking, a finite number divided by zero is not infinite. It is undefined. If we defined it as infinite, the number system would break down (don't ask me where or how, as I forget).
Anyway, if Hawaii's ratio is undefined, then it seems that Hawaii doesn't have a ratio (or, at least, the ratio can't be said to be higher than the other states' ratios). Among the other 49 states, I assume the highest ratio is either Alaska's or Florida's. But I'm too lazy to check.
But asking the question, and insisting on a state other than Hawaii will just lead to arguments, Best to retire the question.
People think of the ratio not as coastline / land border, but as coastline / (coastline + land border), so it's Hawaii at 100%.
ReplyDeleteGood answer! But should the question be reworded?
DeleteYes, as something like... What state has the highest percentage of its border as coastline?
ReplyDeletePerfect!
Delete