Eli5 why the coastline paradox is a paradox?

Question

Eli5 why the coastline paradox is a paradox?

In: 1301

Answer 1

Paradox typically refers to a problem that cannot be solved. In this case, you cannot calculate the perimeter distance of a coastline because zoomed out to a degree, it’s is one distance, but as you keep zooming in, the coastline curves and bends and adds perimeter, all the way down to the boundaries of moving waves and grains of sand.

You can get an approximate answer but never an exact one.