Final answer:
The number of licks it takes to reach the center of a lollipop is not scientifically determined, but experiments estimate an average of 364 licks.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question you mentioned is a popular phrase from a commercial for Tootsie Pops, and it is meant to be humorous rather than scientifically accurate. Mathematically determining the number of licks required to reach the center of a lollipop may be quite challenging due to various variables, such as the size of the lollipop and the licking technique.
However, scientists at NYU's applied mathematics lab conducted experiments to estimate the number of licks needed to reach the center of a Tootsie Pop. They found that it typically takes an average of 364 licks to reach the center. This number can change based on individual factors and preferences.
Therefore, while there is no definitive scientific answer to how many licks it takes to reach the center of a lollipop, the number 364 is often cited as an average estimation based on experiments conducted by mathematicians.