Sorry Rapaire, but you are showing evidence that you fail to understand the traditional method of engineers all around the world:

"If you can't write the equations, you don't understand the problem!"

The MANTRA of the good engineer.

You can NEVER ASK the question properly until the answer is formulated as an equation.

Of course getting the final numbers may take a horrible mess of cranking on the computeralizers, but the equation always comes first, and is - in it's essence - the answer.

Since you have now, albeit inadvertently, associated yourself with the technogeek process, you will likely find the benefits of membership in that elite group will be immediately forthcoming:

1. Attractive young ladies will flee in terror at your approach.

2. More ordinary young ladies will do even worse by yawning whenever you come near.

3. You will have the supernatural ability to make listeners eyes glaze over simply by reciting numbers with three decimal places (Most people are "glaze factor three," and three decimal places will make them comatose. They have potential as managers and administrators. Persons of glaze factor 4 are suited for training in arithmetic and sometimes simple algebra but are often even more boring than you are.)

4. People who proudly show you their latest wheeled toy will be offended when you explain that "twist that thar' screw a quarter turn to the left and you'll get upties more horsepower.

5. (Former) friends will seek your advice when something needs fixed, but will cease inviting you to their parties.

....

The list goes on, but you've earned it.

John