Category Archives: Facts and Trivia

Trivia’s Facts and More (6/24)

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This informative post will be posted on Saturday along with my usual writing.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

Are there any math wizards out there?  In 30 seconds, with or without a calculator, solve the value of this equation:

2/3  x  3/4  x  4/5  x  5/6  x  6/7

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

One of nature’s most magnificent creatures is the Monarch butterfly.  Before one sees this beautiful creation, there is time to appreciate the Monarch caterpillar.

Here are some characteristics of the Monarch caterpillar:

  • Color:  Bands of yellow, black, and white
  • Habitat:  Milkweed plants (feeding on their leaves)
  • Description:  Plump caterpillar with bold stripes and a rear “fake antennae”

The life cycle of a Monarch caterpillar begins when a female adult butterfly lays single eggs on the underside of milkweed leaves.  Eggs will later hatch into tiny larvae who will feed on the leaves of the milkweed plant.  Eventually the mature caterpillar finds a spot from which to hang head-down in a J-shape.  It later molts and forms a jade-green chrysalis around itself.

Many people plant milkweed in their gardens to attract Monarch butterflies.  Milkweed is the only food the caterpillar will eat.  The toxins from the milkweed plant make the caterpillar and adult butterfly poisonous to birds and other predators.

left to right:  monarch caterpillar feeding on a leaf and monarch butterfly gingerly landing on a leaf. (courtesy of pinterest)

 

Answer to Brain Teaser Question

2/7

This is one problem that can be done faster without a calculator.  Cross out any common numerators and denominators:  That is, cross out the 3s, 4s, 5s, and 6s.  You are left with 2/7.

Trivia’s Facts and More (6/17)

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This informative post will be posted on Saturday along with my usual writing.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

You driving a bus.  Four people get on, three people get off, then eight people get on and ten people get off, then six people get on and two more people get off.  Do you have enough information to know what color the bus driver’s eyes are?

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

British writer H. G. (Herbert George) Wells produced many gems found in science-fiction literature.  During his lifetime (1866-1946), he wrote countless books that earned him recognition as the “father of science fiction.”

Among his most popular novels is THE WAR OF THE WORLDS, which was published in 1898.  This franchise has spawned three adaptations of Wells’ classic story. 

These include:

  • Radio drama in 1938
  • Film from 1953, starring Gene Barry and Ann Robinson
  • Film from 2005, starring Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, and Tim Robbins 

On October 30, 1938, Orson Welles and his team produced a radio drama that went over the top in its dramatic presentation.  Claiming that aliens from Mars had invaded New Jersey,  this fake news bulletin was aired with stunning effect, and it created mass panic.  Many of the listeners who tuned in late missed the disclaimer at the beginning of the broadcast that stated the drama was not real.

The first film screenplay adapted from Wells’ novel was “The War of the Worlds.”  A small town was attacked by Martians who were intent on beginning their global conquest.  By today’s standards, the special effects seemed crude and not authentic.  However, the film performed well as one of several with a science-fiction theme that were filmed in the 1950s.

The final adaptation of Wells’ screenplay came in the second film, “War of the Worlds.”  Directed by Steven Spielberg, the script presented the horrific events as seen through the eyes of an American family, as they witnessed an alien invasion that attempted to overwhelm the planet.

left to right:  cover of h. G. wells’ novel, orson welles and news headline following his broadcast, movie poster from 1953 film version, and movie poster from 2005 film adaptation.

 

Answer to Brain Teaser Question

Yes.  They are the color of your eyes–you are driving the bus.

Trivia’s Facts and More (6/10)

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This informative post will be posted on Saturday along with my usual writing.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

All of Mary’s cousins have an Aunt Lucille, but Mary does not.  How can that be?

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

The largest member of the North American deer family is the moose.  With a weight of up to 2,000 pounds for a male bull, it is easy to understand that a moose may eat up to 45 pounds of food per day.

Here are some quick facts about the moose: 

  • Habitat:  grasslands and waterways of Alaska, Canada, northern U.S., Rocky Mountains
  • Top speed:  35 mph
  • Diet:  marsh plants, leaves, branches, twigs
  • Average lifespan:  10-20 years

A bull moose loses its antlers around November, but they will grow back (usually even bigger) during the following spring.  These broad antlers can sometimes spread as wide as six feet (two meters).  

Moose adapt to waterways’ habitat where there is an ample supply of marsh plants.  Being good swimmers, they can stay underwater for up to a minute while searching for something to eat.

Moose generally live in regions where winter snow will cover the ground.  They endure snow and cold quite well.  Despite poor eyesight, they are still able to track predators because of their excellent sense of smell and hearing.

left:  bull with impressive spread of antlers.  right:  cow feeding in pond.  (courtesy of pinterest)

 

Answer to Brain Teaser Question

Lucille is Mary’s mother.

Trivia’s Facts and More (6/3)

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This informative post will be posted on Saturday along with my usual writing.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

You see a boat filled with people.  You look away and then look back, and the boat is still afloat.  However, you don’t see a single person on the boat?  Why?

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

Totally located within the Appalachian Mountains, the American state of West Virginia is famous for its rolling hills and mountains.  

Here are some quick facts about West Virginia: 

  • Capital City:  Charleston (most populated city with 51,400)
  • State Flower:  Rhododendron
  • Nickname:  Mountain State
  • Motto:  Montani Semper Liberi (Mountaineers Are Always Free)

During the American Civil War, the state of West Virginia was carved out of the Confederate state of Virginia.  It was admitted to the Union on June 20, 1863 (just days before the famous battle at Gettysburg).  

In 1905, the Golden Delicious Apple originated in Clay County.  The oldest five and dime store in the United States is Berdine’s Five and Dime in Harrisville.  It opened its doors in 1908.

Visitors to the community of Moundsville have enjoyed the Grave Creek Mound.  It has remained the largest conical-type of prehistoric burial mound in the country.

top left:  grave creek mound site.  bottom left:  Berdine’s five and dime.  right:  Traditional rhododendron flowers.  (courtesy of pinterest)

 

Answer to Brain Teaser Question

All the people on board are married.

Trivia’s Facts and More (5/27)

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This informative post will be posted on Saturday along with my usual writing.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

Do they have a 4th of July in England?

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

William Henry Harrison served as America’s ninth President.  His nickname “Old Tippecanoe” came from his military career.

Here are some quick facts about President Harrison: 

  • Served the shortest term of office ever for a President (one month).
  • He was the grandfather of the nation’s 23rd President, Benjamin Harrison.
  • First elected President from the Whig Party.
  • His father, Benjamin Harrison, was a famous patriot during the American Revolutionary War.

In the Election of 1840, Harrison and his running mate, John Tyler, used a catchy campaign slogan:  “Tippecanoe and Tyler, too.”  Harrison intended to become a doctor and enrolled in medical school.  However, due to lack of funds he dropped out and entered the military.

Despite a wet, wintry day, Harrison delivered an outside, two-hour Inaugural Address.  This may have led to his death a month later from suspected pneumonia.

An interesting coincidence followed the death of Harrison, who was elected in 1840.  Every 20 years thereafter, the President elected would die in office.  The streak would continue until the Election of 1980 when Ronald Reagan narrowly escaped death after being shot.

Here are the Presidents who were elected in the 20-year intervals following 1840:

1860:  Abraham Lincoln, 1880:  James A. Garfield, 1900:  James McKinley, 1920:  Warren G. Harding, 1940:  Franklin D. Roosevelt, and 1960:  John F. Kennedy.

Answer to Brain Teaser Question

Yes

England may not celebrate the Fourth of July as a holiday, but they do have a 4th of July (July 4) on their calendar.

Trivia’s Facts and More (5/20)

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This informative post will be posted on Saturday along with my usual writing.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

Polar bears are finding their food supply to be more and more scarce.  Yet, they will not eat penguins.  Why not?

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

One of the most anticipated events in our Solar System is the arrival of a comet.  It is sometimes referred to as a dirty snowball with a very long tail.

Here are some quick facts about comets: 

  • Comets are made up of large chunks of ice, rocks, dust, and gas.
  • As a comet passes near the Sun, its nucleus heats up an sends out a gaseous flare.  This creates the distinctive tail that is seen from Earth.
  • A comet’s tail can be up to six million miles long.

One of the most famous comets to travel near Earth has been Halley’s Comet.  It is named after English astronomer, Edmund Halley (1656-1742).  Halley correctly predicted the orbit of the comet, and also calculated its schedule for future arrivals.  Halley’s Comet last appeared near Earth in 1986, and it will not return for approximately 75 years (around 2061).  

A much brighter comet than Halley’s is Comet Hale-Bopp.  It is nearly 1,000 times brighter.  It was discovered independently by two American astronomers, Alan Hale (New Mexico) and Thomas Bopp (Arizona).   Comet Hale-Bopp last appeared in 1997, and it is not expected to arrive again for a few thousand years.

Left:  halley’s comet as captured on film in 1910.  right:  comet hale-bopp from 1997.  (courtesy of pinterest)

Answer to Brain Teaser Question

Polar bears live in the Arctic.  Penguins live in the Southern Hemisphere.

Trivia’s Facts and More (5/13)

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This informative post will be posted on Saturday along with my usual writing.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

You’ll find one in Mercury, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus.  But never in Neptune or Venus.  Who am I?

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

One of nature’s most delicate and intriguing insects is the firefly.  These small, flying insects with their leathery wings are an annual summer treat.

Here are some quick facts about the firefly, which is a soft-bodied beetle with wings:

  • Habitat:  Some live in moist places under debris on the ground.  Others live beneath bark and decaying vegetation.
  • Diet:  Larvae feed on insects, snails, and slugs.  Adults may feed on pollen or nectar, or may not eat at all.
  • Color:  Brown or black.

Fireflies are also called “lightning bugs.”  At dusk during the summer, they will fly up from grass and blink their green or yellow light organs to attract mates.

The light is called bioluminescence, which is a cold light (no heat) with 96% energy efficiency.  In comparison, ordinary light bulbs have an approximate 10% efficiency.  Of course, newer technology (LED) has increased the efficiency. 

The life cycle of fireflies begins when females lay eggs in damp soil.  In 3-4 weeks, these eggs hatch into larvae.  The larvae feed until the end of summer, then burrow into soil or behind bark.  They emerge in spring, and become adults.

Left:  Close-up view of a firefly.  right:  Glow-in-the-dark scene of fireflies.  (courtesy of Pinterest)

Answer to Brain Teaser Question

The letter “R”.

Trivia’s Facts and More (5/6)

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This informative post will be posted on Saturday along with my usual writing.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

How many outs are in an inning of baseball?

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

One of the most curious animals to study is the American Beaver.  They are the largest member of the North American rodent family.

Here are some quick facts about the beaver:

  • Habitat:  Streams and lakes throughout the U.S. and Canada
  • Body Length:  2 to 3.5 feet
  • Tail Length:  10-18 inches
  • Weight:  25-65 pounds (females are generally a bit bigger than males)

A group of beavers is called a colony, and their offspring are called kits.  A beaver’s diet consists of inner bark, twigs, leaves, grasses, and water plants.

Beavers have adapted quite well to their watery habitat.  They are excellent swimmers because of webbed feet and a large, flat leathery paddle-like tail.  Most can swim about five miles per hour.  They are able to remain underwater without breathing for nearly 15 minutes.

Beavers are excellent engineers as evidenced by their precision-built dams and lodges, which become their homes.  Equipped with sharp incisor teeth that can easily cut through tree trunks, they build with logs, sticks, and mud.

Photos courtesy of Pinterest.

Answer to Brain Teaser Question

Six

You may have thought there were three outs, but there are two teams that play in an inning.  So there are six outs.

Trivia’s Facts and More (4/29)

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This informative post will be posted on Saturday along with my usual writing.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

How many two-cent stamps are there in a dozen?

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

The “Volunteer State” of Tennessee was the 16th state admitted to the American Union on June 1, 1796.

Here are some quick facts about this dynamic state:

  • Capital City:  Nashville
  • Bird:  Mockingbird
  • Motto:  Agriculture and Commerce

One of Tennessee’s most famous citizens was Davy Crockett, the famous frontiersman and Congressman.  He was born in 1786, and he was well-known for his exploits at the Battle of the Alamo during the Texan march toward independence from Mexico in 1836.

The most visited national park in the United States has been the Great Smoky Mountains.  The park’s name was derived from the smoke-like bluish haze that was often seen above its mountains.

The city of Nashville has been America’s country music epicenter for many years.  Since 1925, the Grand Ole Opry has been the longest, continually-running live radio program in the land.  A visit to the the historic Ryman Auditorium will create  a memorable visit for any country music fan.

Top Photos:  Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Nashville’s Music Row, Tennessee River Gorge.  Bottom Photo:  Interior of the Ryman Auditorium.  (courtesy of Pinterest)

Answer to Brain Teaser Question

12 stamps

You may have multiplied 2 x 12 to get 24.  But a dozen stamps is 12 stamps, no matter how much each is stamp is worth.

Trivia’s Facts and More (4/22)

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This informative post will be posted on Saturday along with my usual writing.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

If I have 3 dimes, 3 nickels, and 3 quarters, how many ways can I make change for $1.00?

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

Martin Van Buren served as America’s 8th President from 1837-1841.  Nicknamed “The Little Magician,” his political savvy was legendary.

Here are some interesting facts about Martin Van Buren:

  • Life Span:  Born December 5, 1782, died July 24, 1862
  • Occupation:  Lawyer
  • Home State:  New York
  • Political Party:  Democratic (played a significant role in its founding)

Before ascending to the highest political office in the land, Van Buren’s career was filled with numerous posts:  U.S. Senator, Governor, Secretary of State, and Vice President.  He was the first President born in the independent United States, and the only one to have learned English as a second language (he grew up speaking Dutch).

Downturn in the American economy spelled doom for Van Buren.  The Panic of 1837 was the first significant depression of the young republic.  It would become a major reason for his failure to secure a second term in the election of 1840, which was won by Whig candidate William Henry Harrison.

Portrait of President van buren and interior photo of his lindenwald mansion in new york state.

 

Answer to Brain Teaser Question

Only 2 ways:

3 quarters, 2 dimes, 1 nickel

3 quarters, 1 dime, 3 nickels