Shopping a garage sale for kitchen equipment, Tomas found a fun-looking 1970s electric can opener. He was tempted to purchase it but instead opted for a regular hand-held can opener for the same price. How was Tomas thinking like an engineer?

Question

• He knew the electric con opener was too valuoble for the price.
C He was choosing the simplest machine for fewer problems.
He wos hoping to take the electric con opener apart.
He was choosing the simplest mochine for economies of scale.

Answer 1

Tomas was thinking like an engineer in that he was choosing the simplest machine for fewer problems.

Engineers often prefer simpler solutions to complex problems because they are typically more reliable, easier to maintain, and less prone to failure. By opting for the hand-held can opener, Tomas may have considered its ease of use and lower likelihood of malfunction compared to the electric can opener, which could potentially have more mechanical or electrical issues.