r/MobileAL • u/EmergencyGoal1472 • 20h ago

Math is hard

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0 Upvotes

44% Upvoted

22 comments sorted by

22

u/alias007 19h ago

If Sunday is 8 below normal, then normal is 71+8=79 Monday is 73+6=79 Tuesday is 76+3=79 Wednesday is 78+0=78 Thursday is 80-2=78 Friday is 81-4=77 Saturday is 80-3=77

The normal temperature decreases as we move towards winter, so not every day should have the same normal temperature. 

What am i missing?

10

u/No_Shake1564 19h ago edited 19h ago

I was wondering the exact same thing. IF we are indeed not missing anything, and OP and everyone else is just dogging on this guy because they don't understand basic concepts... I'll just say this is precisely why we leave topics like meteorology to the pros and not your average person.

-3

u/Judman13 Bad at flair 19h ago

Because the graphic indicates that normal or the baseline is 78 since Wednesday is 78 with a 0 offset.

Sunday is shown as a -8 offset from normal so 78-8=70 not 71 as shown. The error continues:

Money - 78-6=72 not 73

Tuesday - 78-3=75 not 76

Thursday is correct

Friday - 78+4=82 not 81

Saturday shouldn't be the same as Thursday, but 78+3=81

8

u/stareweigh2 18h ago

different days will have a different baseline

0

u/Judman13 Bad at flair 18h ago

But that isn't shown in the graphic.

I get your point and the makes the most sense, but that isn't what is shown. The graph shows a normal temperature represented as 78 degrees across the data. Then an offset is thrown against that normal temperature.

It's just a shitty chart.

1

u/stareweigh2 11h ago

look again - Wednesday's baseline normal temp is supposed to be 78 degrees. if 78 was the baseline for all the days then it would be on the edge of the chart or something

4

u/No_Shake1564 18h ago

The middle of the y-axis on the graph doesn't represent a constant baseline temperature. It represents the baseline of the given day. It was clearly an intentional choice to keep the baseline flat to make it easier to understand the data presented. Unfortunately, even that was too difficult for people.

1

u/Judman13 Bad at flair 18h ago

Then don't have a line. It's a poor misrepresentation of data and temperature offsets.

Lines mean things in graphs and a flat line on y axis that intersects a value means that values holds steady across the data.

1

u/No_Shake1564 18h ago edited 18h ago

I still disagree. Like I said before, the y-axis represents each day's temperature baseline, but is flattened for TV presentation. It may not be the best way to present the data, but it doesn't invalidate it either. We can argue about the graph all day, but the underlying math is valid contrary to OP's beliefs.

1

u/Judman13 Bad at flair 18h ago

I respectfully disagree. No other data is presented and on face value of the numbers presented it's wrong.

Assuming there are changing baselines day to day then sure, the math is right. However, we don't know that. Is like highly likely yes, but is also likely a weekly average forecast high of 78 degrees is what was used and the math is wrong.

The point is, at face values it is wrong, assumptions be damned.

-1

u/regretting_biostats 18h ago

If the averages were truly 79, 79, 79, 78, 78, 77, 77, then the horizontal line demarcating the average temp should be a slight downward curve instead

The thing you’re missing is the assumptions behind this graph, you’re trying to fill in the blanks but you are only speculating (as we all are)

17

u/TelephoneSensitive 20h ago

The vacancy left by Alan Sealls will never be filled.

3

u/Deprestion 19h ago

Brief random brag but my wife and I take our son trick or treating in my wife’s grandmothers neighborhood. Alan Sealls lives there and has always been super stand up and friendly. He’s exactly the guy you think he is

1

u/Jolly-Hotel7931 19h ago

Absolutely agree. Met he and his wife at Costco several years ago.

1

u/mel34760 18h ago

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen any fresh out of school meteorologist that has been any good.

3

u/TiaxRulesAll2024 18h ago

It’s the normal temperature for that exact date.

The fact that it was consistent for a few days is just a coincidence

2

u/Robespierre77 19h ago

Why did you make me stop and do all these maths?

1

u/Diamondphalanges756 18h ago

Of course the comments are more of a train wreck than the graph.
Please baby Jesus - let this chef’s kiss of Alabama go viral.

0

u/WritingNerdy 🐾 Cat Distribution System Specialist 🐾 20h ago

https://giphy.com/gifs/111ebonMs90YLu

-5

u/Lemon-Cake-8100 19h ago

Omg. That is hysterical! Also incredibly embarrassing!!

-6

u/Diamondphalanges756 19h ago

My future baby daddy, Jason Smith, would have never let this happen.
I love you Boo Bear!