Getting Started

What are Fermi Questions and how do you solve them?
A Fermi Question is an order of magnitude estimation. For example; I want to estimate the number of leaves on my lawn. I estimate that there are about 300 leaves on the lawn. The answer is the order of magnitude. For example: 300=3*10^2. The answer is 2. When you solve a fermi question, please use a pencil and scrap paper. After you have made an estimate, then you may use a calculator and internet research to answer the question. Every Friday, a new question and the answer to last week's will be posted. I will explain how I got my answer, but if you want to dispute it, please speak up!
If you need more help, please visit this site:
http://www.soinc.org/events/fermiq/fermiguide.htm