1. Why Does Toast Always Land Butter-Side Down? By: Bob Luke and Alex

2. The Myth When any given buttered slice of toast slides off a plate, counter, or right off the table, it will disappointingly land butter side down.When any given buttered slice of toast slides off a plate, counter, or right off the table, it will disappointingly land butter side down.

3. The Objective Find statistical evidence to suggest that basic laws of physics are in fact incorrect, and as stated by the myth, buttered toast will most likely land butter side down.Find statistical evidence to suggest that basic laws of physics are in fact incorrect, and as stated by the myth, buttered toast will most likely land butter side down.

4. The Process 1.Toast 60 pieces of bread 2.Butter 30 randomly selected with one tbsp, other 30 with ½ tbsp 3.In two separate tests, use carefully constructed rig to flip each piece in the exact same way every time and record results 1.Toast 60 pieces of bread 2.Butter 30 randomly selected with one tbsp, other 30 with ½ tbsp 3.In two separate tests, use carefully constructed rig to flip each piece in the exact same way every time and record results

5. The Rig

6. The Bread

7. The Data

8. The First Test (1) 1 Proportion Z Test1 Proportion Z TestAssumptions:State:SRS 1. 2. Check: Confirmed 1. 2.

9. The First Test (2) ^ We fail to reject Ho in favor of Ha because the p-value of.6972 We have sufficient evidence that the probability of the buttered toast falling face down is equal to.5. We are 95% confident that the probability of the buttered toast falling face down is between.3404 and.5929. ^ ^^

10. The Second Test (1) 2 Proportion Z Test2 Proportion Z TestAssumptions:State:SRS 1. 2. Check: Confirmed 1. 2.

11. The Second Test (2) ^^ ^^ We fail to reject Ho in favor of Ha because the p-value of.1508 We have sufficient evidence that the probability of the toast buttered with ½ tbsp falling face down is equal to the probability of the toast buttered with 1 tbsp falling face down. ^^^ ^^ ^ We are 95% confident that the difference between proportions of ½ tbsp and 1 tbsp of butter is between -.3841 and.1174.

12. The Ultimate Conclusion. The laws of physics aren’t kidding, and if your buttered toast falls to the floor, there’s about a 50% chance that it will be ruined. There is also a 50% chance you’ll still get to enjoy your buttered toast if you live by the 5 second rule. Also, spreading more butter won’t worsen your chances of the toast landing butter side down.The laws of physics aren’t kidding, and if your buttered toast falls to the floor, there’s about a 50% chance that it will be ruined. There is also a 50% chance you’ll still get to enjoy your buttered toast if you live by the 5 second rule. Also, spreading more butter won’t worsen your chances of the toast landing butter side down.

13. The Possible Bias Some possible forms of bias that may have affected the results were:Some possible forms of bias that may have affected the results were: The butter was never exactly 1 tbsp. Or ½ tbsp. The butter was never exactly 1 tbsp. Or ½ tbsp. 2 different toasters were used 2 different toasters were used Environmental conditions because the experiment was done outdoors Environmental conditions because the experiment was done outdoors