Comments on: Strange Pricing from Tesco http://www.sciencepunk.com/v5/2006/12/strange-pricing-from-tesco/ Kicking ass in the name of science! Wed, 07 Jan 2009 02:00:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: pajh http://www.sciencepunk.com/v5/2006/12/strange-pricing-from-tesco/#comment-28987 pajh Wed, 10 Sep 2008 23:27:11 +0000 http://www.sciencepunk.com/v5/2006/12/strange-pricing-from-tesco/#comment-28987 I think they may be marketing it at <a href="http://gominokouhai.livejournal.com/132451.html" rel="nofollow">people like me</a>. I think they may be marketing it at people like me.

]]> By: Keith http://www.sciencepunk.com/v5/2006/12/strange-pricing-from-tesco/#comment-134 Keith Mon, 08 Jan 2007 10:44:29 +0000 http://www.sciencepunk.com/v5/2006/12/strange-pricing-from-tesco/#comment-134 I'm off to make my millions in the <em>"sandwich separation industry"</em>; could even sell the mustard as a by-product back to the manufacturers - the perfect crime... ...on second thoughts, I'd probably just dump it in a nearby river because it was easier. I’m off to make my millions in the “sandwich separation industry”; could even sell the mustard as a by-product back to the manufacturers - the perfect crime…

…on second thoughts, I’d probably just dump it in a nearby river because it was easier.

]]> By: Alley http://www.sciencepunk.com/v5/2006/12/strange-pricing-from-tesco/#comment-133 Alley Sun, 07 Jan 2007 23:47:11 +0000 http://www.sciencepunk.com/v5/2006/12/strange-pricing-from-tesco/#comment-133 From the folds on the 'Just Ham' it's clearly to do with the price:surface area of meat ratio. The mustard is merely a means to dispose of excess Christmas stock so it's monetary value can be left out of the equation. From the folds on the ‘Just Ham’ it’s clearly to do with the price:surface area of meat ratio.
The mustard is merely a means to dispose of excess Christmas stock so it’s monetary value can be left out of the equation.

]]> By: Ian http://www.sciencepunk.com/v5/2006/12/strange-pricing-from-tesco/#comment-109 Ian Fri, 22 Dec 2006 23:51:52 +0000 http://www.sciencepunk.com/v5/2006/12/strange-pricing-from-tesco/#comment-109 Hmm, still doesn't explain why the customer is given money off for accepting mustard does it? Perhaps they could sell the sandwiches for £1.14 with the mustard in a separate sachet, and keep everyone happy... PS Frank, Keith will send you an invoice for the photo when he's back from Dubai ;) Hmm, still doesn’t explain why the customer is given money off for accepting mustard does it? Perhaps they could sell the sandwiches for £1.14 with the mustard in a separate sachet, and keep everyone happy…

PS Frank, Keith will send you an invoice for the photo when he’s back from Dubai ;)

]]> By: Frank the SciencePunk http://www.sciencepunk.com/v5/2006/12/strange-pricing-from-tesco/#comment-102 Frank the SciencePunk Thu, 21 Dec 2006 09:37:07 +0000 http://www.sciencepunk.com/v5/2006/12/strange-pricing-from-tesco/#comment-102 I like it! That formula is very good, but won't give the above prices unless mustard has a negative value... This is a bother. Perhaps amend it thusly: L + ((1 ÷ (Fm + Fv + Fs)) * Bo * Bv * Bq) so that adding fillings reduces the value? Some cube roots would be good though.... I like it!

That formula is very good, but won’t give the above prices unless mustard has a negative value… This is a bother.

Perhaps amend it thusly:

L + ((1 ÷ (Fm + Fv + Fs)) * Bo * Bv * Bq)

so that adding fillings reduces the value? Some cube roots would be good though….

]]> By: Ithika http://www.sciencepunk.com/v5/2006/12/strange-pricing-from-tesco/#comment-99 Ithika Thu, 21 Dec 2006 01:37:25 +0000 http://www.sciencepunk.com/v5/2006/12/strange-pricing-from-tesco/#comment-99 In the spirit of these things, the formula should be something like: L + ((Fm + Fv + Fs) * Bo * Bv * Bq) where L = loaf type (white, brown, granary) Fx = fillings: m(eat), v(egetable), s(pread) Bx = bonus multipliers: o(rganic), v(egetarian), q(uality range) Obviously this is just the first draft and I encourage other commenters to work in some natural logarithms or maybe a cube root. Some more variables (possible with a divisor or two?) would also be very handy. Whatever you do, make no attempt to put units or methods of measurement to this formula. Nothing spoils a good formula so much as quantitative analysis. In the spirit of these things, the formula should be something like:

L + ((Fm + Fv + Fs) * Bo * Bv * Bq)

where

L = loaf type (white, brown, granary)
Fx = fillings: m(eat), v(egetable), s(pread)
Bx = bonus multipliers: o(rganic), v(egetarian), q(uality range)

Obviously this is just the first draft and I encourage other commenters to work in some natural logarithms or maybe a cube root. Some more variables (possible with a divisor or two?) would also be very handy.

Whatever you do, make no attempt to put units or methods of measurement to this formula. Nothing spoils a good formula so much as quantitative analysis.

]]> By: Me http://www.sciencepunk.com/v5/2006/12/strange-pricing-from-tesco/#comment-95 Me Wed, 20 Dec 2006 11:23:24 +0000 http://www.sciencepunk.com/v5/2006/12/strange-pricing-from-tesco/#comment-95 I AM bored. But I dont feel like giving you anything. A sandwich mabye... but not a formula. I AM bored. But I dont feel like giving you anything.

A sandwich mabye… but not a formula.

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