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Author Topic: How wide is a bowling ball?  (Read 7481 times)

LuckyLefty

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How wide is a bowling ball?
« on: April 09, 2005, 03:11:13 PM »
I know the answer but I thought it was a funny demonstration to me today!

My kids both under 6 were playing bumpers and slowing down a bit so I said I'll throw a little to help you finish.

Now I bowl in a classic overunder center and have gone to the Columbia 10 to 5 or 10 to 4 type of over under solution and have been doing nicely!

So I get up to throw and splice my line, ......boing all the way across the lane as I hit the bumper about 30 feet down.

I had gotten so use to throwing this line one doesn't realize part of the ball is over the gutter when you hit 4! I'd actually had a few strikes in the 1 and 2 board area recently no wonder guys get some enjoyment out of watching me play this shot! But one throwing it more likely notices the center of the ball and what board it is hitting! Not how much is hanging over gutter! Cool!

Finally I move in to miss the bumper say 12 to 6 and no problem flush! Flat 7!

Welcome to the world of lefty over/under bowling!

I love to play inside .... but!

REgards,

Luckylefty

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It takes Courage to have Faith, and Faith to have Courage.

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J_Mac

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Re: How wide is a bowling ball?
« Reply #1 on: April 10, 2005, 01:22:53 AM »
Bones... you made a fine Doctor, but a poor engineer you would have been.  Maximum allowable diameter for a bowling ball is 27".

27/3.1415926535897932384626433832795=8.5943669269623481315197232221158

So most balls will fall between 8.4" and about 8.594" wide.  Indeed if your ball is crossing the line between the 4th and 5th board a good 1/4" or so would technically be over the gutter.
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Why is American beer served cold? So you can tell it from urine. - David Moulton
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LuckyLefty

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Re: How wide is a bowling ball?
« Reply #2 on: April 10, 2005, 02:46:37 AM »
Oh boy, I was off a board.

I guess I hit 3 1/2 at 30 feet! Not bad for a lefty!

As I mentioned I have had a lot of strikes in the 1 to 3 area lately.
Boinnnnnng!

Enjoyment for all watching!

REgards,

Luckylefty
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It takes Courage to have Faith, and Faith to have Courage.

James M. McCurley, New Orleans, Louisiana

JOE FALCO

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Re: How wide is a bowling ball?
« Reply #3 on: April 10, 2005, 08:03:01 AM »
Isn't there some formula that says if you have the CIRCUMFERENCE you can calculate the DIAMETER?
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Umungus

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Re: How wide is a bowling ball?
« Reply #4 on: April 10, 2005, 08:04:10 AM »
J Mac is right.

The circumference of the ball divided by pi gives you the answer. If you look at J Mac's post he divided the circumference (27") by pi (3.14).

That gives you a width of 8.59"

Nice Star Trek reference.

Thanks,
Donald
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Umungus

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Re: How wide is a bowling ball?
« Reply #5 on: April 10, 2005, 08:06:07 AM »
And taking pi out to the 31st character is just showing off.
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charlest

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Re: How wide is a bowling ball?
« Reply #6 on: April 10, 2005, 08:55:49 AM »
ABC ball specification document:
http://www.bowl.com/downloads/pdf/USBCequipmanual2005_sectionIII.pdf

Max Diameter: 8.595"
Min Diameter: 8.500"

Max circumference: 27.002"
Min circumference: 26.704"
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LuckyLefty

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Re: How wide is a bowling ball?
« Reply #7 on: April 10, 2005, 08:58:24 AM »
If anyone doesn't think of how this post turned out as funny!.....
Well I sort of do!

As I said I was a little off this day hitting 3.75 instead of 4 at 30 feet!

rEgards,

Luckylefty
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It takes Courage to have Faith, and Faith to have Courage.

James M. McCurley, New Orleans, Louisiana

Umungus

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Re: How wide is a bowling ball?
« Reply #8 on: April 10, 2005, 05:15:43 PM »
It is funny.

When you're sitting in a math class and you ask yourself, "When will I ever use this stuff in real life?" Now you know.

Math is power!
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J_Mac

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Re: How wide is a bowling ball?
« Reply #9 on: April 10, 2005, 08:43:25 PM »
quote:
J Mac is right.

The circumference of the ball divided by pi gives you the answer. If you look at J Mac's post he divided the circumference (27") by pi (3.14).

That gives you a width of 8.59"

Nice Star Trek reference.

Thanks,
Donald
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Rock Chalk Jayhawk


Dude, get it right.  Star WARS, not Star Trek
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American beer is like making love in a canoe. It's f*cking close to water. - Monty Python

Why is American beer served cold? So you can tell it from urine. - David Moulton
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J_Mac

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Re: How wide is a bowling ball?
« Reply #10 on: April 10, 2005, 08:47:52 PM »
I will full well admit that I did use incorrect terminology when referencing the rule book, but my math was correct none the less.

I just copy and pasted the math from the calculator on Windows, hence the large numbers.  I had no intention of showing off.
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American beer is like making love in a canoe. It's f*cking close to water. - Monty Python

Why is American beer served cold? So you can tell it from urine. - David Moulton
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Umungus

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Re: How wide is a bowling ball?
« Reply #11 on: April 10, 2005, 09:46:21 PM »
How the heck is that a Star Wars reference?

Who the heck was the doctor is Star Wars called "Bones"? I think everyone knows the Star Trek's Doctor Leonard McCoy was referred to a "Bones" But I need an explanation on how this is a Star Wars reference.

I had your back until you fugged that up.

Thanks,
Donald
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Rock Chalk Jayhawk
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J_Mac

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Re: How wide is a bowling ball?
« Reply #12 on: April 10, 2005, 10:07:45 PM »
You didn't recognize Yodanese?  Besides that, just about everyone on this site has refered to Sawbones as Bones without thinking about Star Trek.  sheesh...
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American beer is like making love in a canoe. It's f*cking close to water. - Monty Python

Why is American beer served cold? So you can tell it from urine. - David Moulton
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Umungus

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Re: How wide is a bowling ball?
« Reply #13 on: April 10, 2005, 10:52:46 PM »
Practice you need. Patience you must have. In time, learn the ways of Yodanese.

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Rock Chalk Jayhawk
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ChinaManB

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Re: How wide is a bowling ball?
« Reply #14 on: April 10, 2005, 11:08:40 PM »
Ask my wife....she will tell you how long a ChinaMan is!
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