NationStates Jolt Archive

I mean, what kind of elitist conspiracy is this? Only vectors, modules, matrices, and tensors are good enough? Who ever decided that Lie algebras were so great anyway? Who ever decided that linear funtionals were superior? This is just an elitist conspiracy! Down with Hilbert and Banach spaces! Up with arbitrary curvilinear coordinates on topological n-dimensional manifolds! So long as n is finite. Those damned set theorists always want to work with things that can't be physically constructed. Down with set theory! Up with topos theory! Come to the down-to-earth, regular folk, Joe six-pick, constructivist side. Those set theorists are such ivory tower elitists. After all, it's called set THEORY for a reason! I mean, we were able to get the signatures of 12 mathematicians who said set theory was a hoax! 12! And they've all been Extrapolated (no interpolation allowed) from their university positions for their beliefs. We constructivists are being persecuted in America, especially by these cheese-eating wine-sipping academicians.

The constructivist party, fighting for our FINITE family of FINITE sets values, and for our Real numbers.

I'm John Maclaurin, and I approved this message.

Maclaurin/Pa*ln() 2008

Paid for by the people who make fun of threads denying global warming.

*Flees from the Math*

I think we should fuck Arabic Numerals entirely...From now on, I use the Roman System....

Its the only real system anyway.....

I mean, what kind of elitist conspiracy is this? Only vectors, modules, matrices, and tensors are good enough? Who ever decided that Lie algebras were so great anyway? Who ever decided that linear funtionals were superior? This is just an elitist conspiracy! Down with Hilbert and Banach spaces! Up with arbitrary curvilinear coordinates on topological n-dimensional manifolds! So long as n is finite. Those damned set theorists always want to work with things that can't be physically constructed. Down with set theory! Up with topos theory! Come to the down-to-earth, regular folk, Joe six-pick, constructivist side. Those set theorists are such ivory tower elitists. After all, it's called set THEORY for a reason! I mean, we were able to get the signatures of 12 mathematicians who said set theory was a hoax! 12! And they've all been Extrapolated (no interpolation allowed) from their university positions for their beliefs. We constructivists are being persecuted in America, especially by these cheese-eating wine-sipping academicians.

The constructivist party, fighting for our FINITE family of FINITE sets values, and for our Real numbers.

I'm John Maclaurin, and I approved this message.

Maclaurin/Pa*ln() 2008

Paid for by the people who make fun of threads denying global warming.

Given that I just got a C in it, yeah, down with Linear Algebra.

Parody threads are rarely as clever as they appear, even when the target is lame.

*Flees from the Math*

*Also flees from the math, but trips Gravlen while fleeing*

I apply the Banach-Tarski paradox to a volume that represents the OP's parodic ability, and I still can't reassemble it into anything large enough to see. :p

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banach-Tarski_paradox

I think we should fuck Arabic Numerals entirely...From now on, I use the Roman System....

Its the only real system anyway.....

Then my name abbreviation, CM, stands for 900!

Hmmm....

I'm in!:D

I mean, what kind of elitist conspiracy is this? Only vectors, modules, matrices, and tensors are good enough? Who ever decided that Lie algebras were so great anyway? Who ever decided that linear funtionals were superior? This is just an elitist conspiracy! Down with Hilbert and Banach spaces! Up with arbitrary curvilinear coordinates on topological n-dimensional manifolds! So long as n is finite. Those damned set theorists always want to work with things that can't be physically constructed. Down with set theory! Up with topos theory! Come to the down-to-earth, regular folk, Joe six-pick, constructivist side. Those set theorists are such ivory tower elitists. After all, it's called set THEORY for a reason! I mean, we were able to get the signatures of 12 mathematicians who said set theory was a hoax! 12! And they've all been Extrapolated (no interpolation allowed) from their university positions for their beliefs. We constructivists are being persecuted in America, especially by these cheese-eating wine-sipping academicians.

The constructivist party, fighting for our FINITE family of FINITE sets values, and for our Real numbers.

I'm John Maclaurin, and I approved this message.

Maclaurin/Pa*ln() 2008

Paid for by the people who make fun of threads denying global warming.
Bad day with the exams?

I apply the Banach-Tarski paradox to a volume that represents the OP's parodic ability, and I still can't reassemble it into anything large enough to see. :p

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banach-Tarski_paradox

http://imagechan.com/images/Math%20jokes.jpeg

Out of curiosity, what was your major?

Given that I just got a C in it, yeah, down with Linear Algebra.
You know, it was linear algebra that got me interested in education beyond a MSEE. It was non-finite dimensional vector spaces that made me decide that control theory was NOT the way to go...

http://imagechan.com/images/Math%20jokes.jpeg

Out of curiosity, what was your major?

Chemical engineering.

Bad day with the exams?

It was for me. Brought me down to a 3.0 for the semester.

Which I now have to explain to my parents.

Chemical engineering.

Cool beans. My little sis actually wants to go into that. I never had much of a head for chemistry. Somehow Physics made more sense. O.o

It was for me. Brought me down to a 3.0 for the semester.

Which I now have to explain to my parents.
Tough break. I'd like to say they'd get over it, but I've heard too many doom and gloom stories from my Indian friends about their 'unmotivated and ungrateful' kids.

You know, it was linear algebra that got me interested in education beyond a MSEE. It was non-finite dimensional vector spaces that made me decide that control theory was NOT the way to go...

The material itself was fairly straightforward, and I kind of wish I'd taken it before I took Quantum (like how I wish I took Diff Eq before I took Quantum. And Classical before I took Quantum...and the moral is, take things in sequence).
I tested well.
The math department's just a bunch of asshats.

Tough break. I'd like to say they'd get over it, but I've heard too many doom and gloom stories from my Indian friends about their 'unmotivated and ungrateful' kids.

It's a big improvement from the D I got in Mathematics of Finance I this spring. The fact that I aced Intro to Optical Imaging will probably take some of the edge off of their self-righteous ire.

Cool beans. My little sis actually wants to go into that. I never had much of a head for chemistry. Somehow Physics made more sense. O.o

I was the opposite. Originally intended to major in physics. Took the physics-major freshman physics courses and found I didn't have the head for it. Did better in chemistry, then took a physical chemistry course and decided I liked that better. Didn't want to be in a lab all the time, though, so went chem eng instead.

Strange thing was, I hated chem in high school. Probably because the teacher taught the class assuming that everyone was an idiot and nobody knew how to add.

The material itself was fairly straightforward, and I kind of wish I'd taken it before I took Quantum (like how I wish I took Diff Eq before I took Quantum. And Classical before I took Quantum...and the moral is, take things in sequence).
I tested well.
The math department's just a bunch of asshats.
That's got to be a common property of mathematicians. The math department at Georgia Tech is made up of a bunch of undeserving prima donnas, too.

I've got same tale of woe regarding electromagnetics in Grad school. I learned a lot about PDEs and vector calculus in the exploration of Maxwell's equations. So much so, that the PDE and vector classes were easy A's

I was the opposite. Originally intended to major in physics. Took the physics-major freshman physics courses and found I didn't have the head for it. Did better in chemistry, then took a physical chemistry course and decided I liked that better. Didn't want to be in a lab all the time, though, so went chem eng instead.

Strange thing was, I hated chem in high school. Probably because the teacher taught the class assuming that everyone was an idiot and nobody knew how to add.

I had that problem with Physics in high school as well. It was "reading Powerpoint slides" 101. It wasn't until I got to the college level that I really took an interest in it. My room mate at the time was a chemical engineer in our BS/PhD program. Smart guy, but his coursework made my head throb.

That's got to be a common property of mathematicians. The math department at Georgia Tech is made up of a bunch of undeserving prima donnas, too.

I've got same tale of woe regarding electromagnetics in Grad school. I learned a lot about PDEs and vector calculus in the exploration of Maxwell's equations. So much so, that the PDE and vector classes were easy A's

I'm fairly certain it's a universal problem with the math departments. The disparity between the math department's clout and their actual clout on paper has been a topic of discussion for some time, especially considering the amount of research our department brings in compared to the generally meek reputation it has in dealing with other departments.

I'm kind of glad for it, al the same. It means my last two semesters here as an undergrad should be smooth sailing. No tough courses left except EM2

I have no idea what OP is on about with this fancy linear algebra stuff.

I only took Maths for Chemical Engineering so I only know calculus :(

I have no idea what OP is on about with this fancy linear algebra stuff.

I only took Maths for Chemical Engineering so I only know calculus :(

It wasn't really about math. The OP was attempting to ridicule another thread. Sadly, he wasn't quite up to the task. ;)

Ouch, my head hurts... I come here to ignore math, not see it.

I've never like the term "linear algebra." When I hear it I think, "Ooh, 'ax+b' and all that. This stuff is easy!" Then it turns out to involve Lie groups and manifolds and quaternions and other evil things that make me question my faith in deductive reasoning. It's the devil.

Chemical engineering.

Useful for a lawyer I guess...

Useful for a lawyer I guess...

I didn't go straight to law school. Worked for about four years in between.

BTW: looks like my original post went right over the OP's head ;)

That's got to be a common property of mathematicians. The math department at Georgia Tech is made up of a bunch of undeserving prima donnas, too.
Er. Here at Appalachian State, the math department is one of the friendliest departments on campus. It's how I wound up declaring a major and then sticking around (as I am now) for a master's.

I didn't go straight to law school. Worked for about four years in between.

BTW: looks like my original post went right over the OP's head ;)

Nobody goes straight to law school....its a place that lies in a non-Euclidean nexus between order and chaos, reason and distortion, justice and corruption, approached asymptotically but unattainable until the LSAT shows you how to divide by zero through the sequencing of exactly 7 kinds of produce, Apples, Bananas, Carrots, Dates, Eggplant, Figs, and Habaneros, which must be purchased according to the following rules:

If Carrots are first, Figs are not third.
Apples can not follow Eggplant.
If Habaneros are not last, Carrots are last.
Dates are second.
There is exactly one space between Bananas and Figs.

It wasn't really about math. The OP was attempting to ridicule another thread. Sadly, he wasn't quite up to the task. ;)

The OP was only a little funny.

What is quite funny, however, is that you are posting in this thread about your thread and not in that substantive thread you started. :eek::tongue:

I didn't go straight to law school. Worked for about four years in between.

BTW: looks like my original post went right over the OP's head ;)

BTW, what kind of law do you practice?

The OP was only a little funny.

What is quite funny, however, is that you are posting in this thread about your thread and not in that substantive thread you started. :eek::tongue:

Perhaps that's because, having opened the subject and posted several comments, I've said all I have to say.

BTW, what kind of law do you practice?

Primarily IP. Some pertaining to internet issues.

Primarily IP. Some pertaining to internet issues.

Interesting. I practiced primarily IP litigation, especially patent litigation, for many years.

Perhaps that's because, having opened the subject and posted several comments, I've said all I have to say.

Having opened the subject and posting one comment 18 minutes later, you are done with the subject?

Some might say that was trolling.

Having opened the subject and posting one comment 18 minutes later, you are done with the subject?

Some might say that was trolling.

Since you ask:

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14343326&postcount=121

Paid for by the people who make fun of threads denying global warming.

I was wondering what this thread was on about, but then I see it is a crude attempt to try and disparage those who don't believe everything Al Gore says due to various studies that show that humans weren't the reason behind the various climate changes throughout Earth history (some of them are easy as humans weren't even around at the time), or that this current change of climate has also been suggested that it is a part of a cycle. But no forget all that us humans did it, I know because Al Gore who flies himself all over the world in his private jet told me so. Let the witch hunt begin on those that say otherwise.

Parody threads are rarely as clever as they appear, even when the target is lame.

i don't know, we once had the whole front page filled up with variations on "i am going to die a virgin". that was fun while it lasted.

I didn't go straight to law school. Worked for about four years in between.

BTW: looks like my original post went right over the OP's head ;)

You're post didn't go over my head. I'm well aware of the implications of the Banach-Tarski paradox and how it involves non-trivial use of the axiom of choice, and I was well aware that you were using it to call into question my ability to parody in a metaphoric way, it's just that I just have other things to do than spend all day on a forum.

Parody threads are rarely as clever as they appear, even when the target is lame.

Still less when the target is capable of turning the "parody" back on the alleged "parodist".

You're post didn't go over my head. I'm well aware of the implications of the Banach-Tarski paradox and how it involves non-trivial use of the axiom of choice, and I was well aware that you were using it to call into question my ability to parody in a metaphoric way, it's just that I just have other things to do than spend all day on a forum.

Well, I'm glad we cleared that up. :p

I was wondering what this thread was on about, but then I see it is a crude attempt to try and disparage those who don't believe everything Al Gore says due to various studies that show that humans weren't the reason behind the various climate changes throughout Earth history (some of them are easy as humans weren't even around at the time), or that this current change of climate has also been suggested that it is a part of a cycle. But no forget all that us humans did it, I know because Al Gore who flies himself all over the world in his private jet told me so. Let the witch hunt begin on those that say otherwise.

Yes, because everyone who accepts that global warming is at least partially due to the output of greenhouse gasses collecting in the upper atmosphere and altering the thermal emissivity of the Earth in the infrared range worships Al Gore.:rolleyes:

I'm about to blow you're mind. Ready for it? I've never even seen "An Inconvenient Truth!"

<snip> it's just that I just have other things to do than spend all day on a forum.

Well, we don't, so knock it off... :p

I think we should fuck Arabic Numerals entirely...From now on, I use the Roman System....

Its the only real system anyway.....

Sounds kinky. Dibs on six. I can fuck the hole and have the unconnected part involved in some nice ass-play. Or were you typing metaphorically?

I'm fairly certain it's a universal problem with the math departments. The disparity between the math department's clout and their actual clout on paper has been a topic of discussion for some time, especially considering the amount of research our department brings in compared to the generally meek reputation it has in dealing with other departments.

I'm kind of glad for it, al the same. It means my last two semesters here as an undergrad should be smooth sailing. No tough courses left except EM2

That's why I chose to make my career at a comunity college. Much more turnover than a four-year school, but you actually have to know how to teach here.

Yes, because everyone who accepts that global warming is at least partially due to the output of greenhouse gasses collecting in the upper atmosphere and altering the thermal emissivity of the Earth in the infrared range worships Al Gore.:rolleyes:

I'm about to blow you're mind. Ready for it? I've never even seen "An Inconvenient Truth!"

Well you should because you're missing out of a lot of crap. But while Al Gore is used it is used as a catch-all term.

Well you should because you're missing out of a lot of crap. But while Al Gore is used it is used as a catch-all term.

And while we're on the subject of Al Gore, here for your entertainment are the official lyrics of "The Al Gore Song" [drum roll, trumpet fanfare]:

THE AL GORE SONG
(Green Banners High)

Green banners high, worldwide in ranks together,
Green marchers take to streets now over-warm.
Green scientists, authorities on global weather
Unite to sound the climate-change alarm.

In every nation, soon will come the hour
Foes shouted down, an end to corporate greed.
In every land, progressive parties seizing power
Now justified by science and by need.

Then no more heard, deniers’ opposition
The world made safe for species highly prized
The billions saved from excess greenhouse gas emission
The Western world deindustrialized.

Green banners high, worldwide in ranks together
Green marchers take to streets now over-warm.
Green scientists, authorities on global weather
Unite to sound the climate-change alarm.

Linear algebra is tame compared to linear calculus.

-_-

Linear algebra is tame compared to linear calculus.

-_-

Let alone multivariable calculus, tensor calculus or the calculus of variations. :eek:

I also postulate that the Parallel Point Theorem is bunk because it's never been proven.

Did you guys know that the FTL Drive Space-Time Perturbation Integral used in the new Battle Star Galactica series was actually developed by Edward James Olmos while he was playing a Calculus teacher in the film "Stand and Deliver"?

Lou Diamond Phillips contributed to the time-independent mode synthesis that reconciles the method to Relativity.

Its true.

And that girl from Blossom? She's a neurochemist now.

Let alone multivariable calculus, tensor calculus or the calculus of variations. :eek:

Crybabies, haven't you ever dealt with the mathematics of general relativity, or with the mathematics of differential geometry on arbitrary manifolds?

Did you guys know that the FTL Drive Space-Time Perturbation Integral used in the new Battle Star Galactica series was actually developed by Edward James Olmos while he was playing a Calculus teacher in the film "Stand and Deliver"?

Lou Diamond Phillips contributed to the time-independent mode synthesis that reconciles the method to Relativity.

Its true.

And that girl from Blossom? She's a neurochemist now.

And curiously, when you assume that Phillips' synthesis is in common time, and you plug all the variables into a sequencer, it comes out sounding like Los Lobos' cover of "La Bamba".

Crybabies, haven't you ever dealt with the mathematics of general relativity, or with the mathematics of differential geometry on arbitrary manifolds?

Nope. Only exahust manifolds. STP: it's a measurement condition AND a gasoline additive.

And curiously, when you assume that Phillips' synthesis is in common time, and you plug all the variables into a sequencer, it comes out sounding like Los Lobos' cover of "La Bamba".

This is why they don't invite musicians to conferences on applied mathematics.

You remember when you guys played solution outcomes to Cantor's Diaganolization Proofs on a tuba, and it sounded like the theme to Facts of Life, and three PhD candidates from Stanford wound up with self-inflicted injuries?

Let alone multivariable calculus, tensor calculus or the calculus of variations. :eek:

*has an aneurism*

This is why they don't invite musicians to conferences on applied mathematics.

You remember when you guys played solution outcomes to Cantor's Diaganolization Proofs on a tuba, and it sounded like the theme to Facts of Life, and three PhD candidates from Stanford wound up with self-inflicted injuries?

Ooh...yeah. Ouch. That's right up there with the furor caused when someone had claimed to have called Avogadro's Number and gotten Avogadro's Address:

60 22nd St. Apt. 1023
Mol Terrace, CA 90901

I mean, what kind of elitist conspiracy is this? Only vectors, modules, matrices, and tensors are good enough? Who ever decided that Lie algebras were so great anyway? Who ever decided that linear funtionals were superior? This is just an elitist conspiracy! Down with Hilbert and Banach spaces! Up with arbitrary curvilinear coordinates on topological n-dimensional manifolds! So long as n is finite.


Oh fer Chris'sake, you know someone is going to take this seriously, don't you?


Banach rules, btw.

I choose yes.

Oh fer Chris'sake, you know someone is going to take this seriously, don't you?


Banach rules, btw.

Someone taking this thread seriously would most definitely create epic lulz.

Someone taking this thread seriously would most definitely create epic lulz.

Maybe we could bait someone with trollish tendencies into it.

Er. Here at Appalachian State, the math department is one of the friendliest departments on campus. It's how I wound up declaring a major and then sticking around (as I am now) for a master's.
Yeah, one of my colleagues went to Columbus State, in Georgia, and he has a much better recollection of his undergrad days, too.

I also postulate that the Parallel Point Theorem is bunk because it's never been proven.

It hasn't been "proven" because it is a postulate, not a theorem. Specifically, Euclid's fifth postulate.

Someone taking this thread seriously would most definitely create epic lulz.

I choose to erradicate algebra altogether from the school curriculum.

I choose to erradicate algebra altogether from the school curriculum.

Right on. If it can't be proved with a compass and straightedge, it's not real math.

Right on. If it can't be proved with a compass and straightedge, it's not real math.

Exactamundo!

It hasn't been "proven" because it is a postulate, not a theorem. Specifically, Euclid's fifth postulate.

And it only applies to very specific types of geometric spaces.

All this algebra and math malarky is just a liberal conspiracy to brainwash our children with liberal propaganda and raise taxes.

I choose to erradicate algebra altogether from the school curriculum.

No, we should teach algebra and all other theories of maths in the cirriculum. Teach the controversy I say.

Ooh...yeah. Ouch. That's right up there with the furor caused when someone had claimed to have called Avogadro's Number and gotten Avogadro's Address:

60 22nd St. Apt. 1023
Mol Terrace, CA 90901

Dammit. In my head, this was hilarious. :(

It hasn't been "proven" because it is a postulate, not a theorem. Specifically, Euclid's fifth postulate.

Yes, I know it hasn't been proven. It's been on the $1 million "To Solve" list (or whatever the hell it's called) for as long as I can remember.

It's a joke.

I'll believe in algebra when I see proof.

aye, its those al-zebra terrorists

Yes, I know it hasn't been proven. It's been on the $1 million "To Solve" list (or whatever the hell it's called) for as long as I can remember.

It's a joke.

Check this link for the "Millenium Problems":

http://www.claymath.org/millennium/

Yes, I know it hasn't been proven. It's been on the $1 million "To Solve" list (or whatever the hell it's called) for as long as I can remember.

It's a joke.

I don't think it's on the list. In the 19th century mathematicians found you could drop the fifth postulate and create systems of geometry that were still internally consistent, non-Euclidean geometry. It's unprovable.

I choose to erradicate algebra altogether from the school curriculum.
I wholeheartedly support this proposal! i still haunts me. IMAGINARY numbers?! It's bad enough mixing numbers AND letters! But this imaginary number? What's next? Eleventeen?

I wholeheartedly support this proposal! i still haunts me. IMAGINARY numbers?! It's bad enough mixing numbers AND letters! But this imaginary number? What's next? Eleventeen?I am going to slot you if I start having nightmares again! I just got finished with all of my high school's required math classes. :mad:

:p

I am going to slot you if I start having nightmares again! I just got finished with all of my high school's required math classes. :mad:

:p
I can assure you, the college level is worse.

I can assure you, the college level is worse.I'll live, I think. What I'm majoring in shouldn't be too overloaded with Math, I believe.

I swear, my finger just slipped, Sergeant! ;)

I wholeheartedly support this proposal! i still haunts me. IMAGINARY numbers?! It's bad enough mixing numbers AND letters! But this imaginary number? What's next? Eleventeen?

Next would be DUAL numbers: a+be, where e*e = 0.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual_numbers

And when you're tired of them, there's always octonions*, sedenions, split-complex numbers, bicomplex numbers, biquaternions, split-quaternions, tessarines, hypercomplex numbers, superreal numbers, hyperreal numbers, supernatural numbers, surreal numbers, and Musean hypernumbers. ;)

*quaternions were already mentioned

I wholeheartedly support this proposal! i still haunts me. IMAGINARY numbers?! It's bad enough mixing numbers AND letters! But this imaginary number? What's next? Eleventeen?
I just finished reading about quaternions. They're like imaginary numbers, but, uh, more imaginary. Multiplication isn't commutative, either.
I'm sure at one point in time, mathematics was relevant to the everyday world. I wonder when that period ended...

I wholeheartedly support this proposal! i still haunts me. IMAGINARY numbers?! It's bad enough mixing numbers AND letters! But this imaginary number? What's next? Eleventeen?


I know. It caused me such trauma. It hunts my dreams.:(

I wholeheartedly support this proposal! i still haunts me. IMAGINARY numbers?! It's bad enough mixing numbers AND letters! But this imaginary number? What's next? Eleventeen?

In some ways, math analysis/calculus can be a lot like neocon policy. The square root of -1? Yeah, it's i. What's it mean? It's imaginary. It doesn't really exist, but we're going to base an entire field of math on it and make everyone study it who claims to want to go to college, even if we know they'll never use it again unless they're going into a higher-math-related field. Sure, you could've taken an arts course or something more fun or even practical, but I REJECT YOUR REALITY AND SUBSTITUTE MY OWN!

In some ways, math analysis/calculus can be a lot like neocon policy. The square root of -1? Yeah, it's i. What's it mean? It's imaginary. It doesn't really exist, but we're going to base an entire field of math on it and make everyone study it who claims to want to go to college, even if we know they'll never use it again unless they're going into a higher-math-related field. Sure, you could've taken an arts course or something more fun or even practical, but I REJECT YOUR REALITY AND SUBSTITUTE MY OWN!

Complex numbers can also be viewed as representing points in a plane. Thus, 2+2i = the point (2,2). And 2i = (0,2).

So imaginary and complex numbers actually do exist, from a different point of view. And different points of view are things liberals say they are all in favor of . . . .

You say "octonions," I think "octopus onions?" :p

Complex numbers can also be viewed as representing points in a plane. Thus, 2+2i = the point (2,2). And 2i = (0,2).

So imaginary and complex numbers actually do exist, from a different point of view. And different points of view are things liberals say they are all in favor of . . . .

If adding the i doesn't change a point's place in 3D space, what's the point?

You say "octonions," I think "octopus onions?" :p

How about octopus with onions? Gently sauteed in a little olive oil, a touch of garlic, maybe some basil. Mmm, mmm, good :D

How about octopus with onions? Gently sauteed in a little olive oil, a touch of garlic, maybe some basil. Mmm, mmm, good :D

The only culture's food I've tried that has prepared octopus in a non-rubbery manner is Greek. I love Japanese food, but tako isn't something they do well, IMO.

If adding the i doesn't change a point's place in 3D space, what's the point?

The point = the end of the vector in the complex plane extending from the origin at the angle to the real axis arctan (y/x) and having a magnitude sqrt (x*2 +y*2) :p

The only culture's food I've tried that has prepared octopus in a non-rubbery manner is Greek. I love Japanese food, but tako isn't something they do well, IMO.

Gotta agree. Tako, no. Toro, yes.

I just finished reading about quaternions. They're like imaginary numbers, but, uh, more imaginary. Multiplication isn't commutative, either.
I'm sure at one point in time, mathematics was relevant to the everyday world. I wonder when that period ended...

Actually, quaternions can be quite useful for certain things. They can be used as a substitute for vectors, in certain places, and there seems to be some potential for them in fields pertaining to theoretical physics.

In some ways, math analysis/calculus can be a lot like neocon policy. The square root of -1? Yeah, it's i. What's it mean? It's imaginary. It doesn't really exist, but we're going to base an entire field of math on it and make everyone study it who claims to want to go to college, even if we know they'll never use it again unless they're going into a higher-math-related field. Sure, you could've taken an arts course or something more fun or even practical, but I REJECT YOUR REALITY AND SUBSTITUTE MY OWN!

Complex numbers are incredibly useful. Don't just look at the word imaginary, that was a pejorative dismissal by Descartes when he first encountered them Imaginary and complex numbers are incredibly useful in dealing with AC circuits, where impedance can be treated as a complex. They are useful in the solutions of boundary value problems, many of which deal with complex solutions and complex eigenvalues. They are useful for finding the general solution of ODE's which often involve the use of exponentiated complexes and imaginaries. They are also useful in fields which rely heavily on differential equations and linear algebra, such as quantum mechanics.

Actually, quaternions can be quite useful for certain things. They can be used as a substitute for vectors, in certain places, and there seems to be some potential for them in fields pertaining to theoretical physics.
That's good. During my daily vector mapping, I often wish there was a substitute for the nasty little things.
Seriously, I'm sure even the purest of maths has practical applications. Many of these applications aren't the sort of thing you use when buying groceries, though.

Complex numbers are incredibly useful. Don't just look at the word imaginary, that was a pejorative dismissal by Descartes when he first encountered them Imaginary and complex numbers are incredibly useful in dealing with AC circuits, where impedance can be treated as a complex. They are useful in the solutions of boundary value problems, many of which deal with complex solutions and complex eigenvalues. They are useful for finding the general solution of ODE's which often involve the use of exponentiated complexes and imaginaries. They are also useful in fields which rely heavily on differential equations and linear algebra, such as quantum mechanics.

I like how you say that they're useful, but fail to show how. How useful can they be if you can't dredge up and example?

I like how you say that they're useful, but fail to show how. How useful can they be if you can't dredge up and example?

The Schrodinger equation, which describes the quantum state of a physical system, includes the partial time derivative of the wavefunction multiplied by an imaginary factor (i*h-bar).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schr%C3%B6dinger_equation

The Dirac equation, which describes the behavior of electrons and was used to predict the existence of the positron, includes a similar derivative multiplied by the same imaginary factor.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirac_equation

Quantum mechanics and quantum field theory, which underlie much of modern physics (and chemistry) and make possible things such as the computer you're reading this on, use these equations.

I like how you say that they're useful, but fail to show how. How useful can they be if you can't dredge up and example?

You could start with applications of eigenvalues (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eigenvalues#Applications) and differential equations (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Differential_equations#Notable_differential_equations), many of which have complex solutions.

You people are making my brain hurt :D Clearly, this requires an alcohol treatment regimen.

BRB, booze.

The Schrodinger equation, which describes the quantum state of a physical system, includes the partial time derivative of the wavefunction multiplied by an imaginary factor (i*h-bar).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schr%C3%B6dinger_equation

The Dirac equation, which describes the behavior of electrons and was used to predict the existence of the positron, includes a similar derivative multiplied by the same imaginary factor.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirac_equation

Quantum mechanics and quantum field theory, which underlie much of modern physics (and chemistry) and make possible things such as the computer you're reading this on, use these equations.

You could start with applications of eigenvalues (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eigenvalues#Applications) and differential equations (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Differential_equations#Notable_differential_equations), many of which have complex solutions.

In short, then, no solid examples, but a whole lot of theoretical wind. Thanks for nothing.


Bah, just kiddin'. I'm sure it all means something to someone. I just find it amazing that something as simple as the universe needs such ridiculous math to explain it all.

In short, then, no solid examples, but a whole lot of theoretical wind. Thanks for nothing.


Bah, just kiddin'. I'm sure it all means something to someone. I just find it amazing that something as simple as the universe needs such ridiculous math to explain it all.

Well, if predicting the positron isn't "solid" enough, quantum mechanics also predicts that electrons can tunnel through potential barriers that they shouldn't be able to penetrate according to classical mechanics. Thus, things like diodes and transistors are possible.

Well, if predicting the positron isn't "solid" enough, quantum mechanics also predicts that electrons can tunnel through potential barriers that they shouldn't be able to penetrate according to classical mechanics. Thus, things like diodes and transistors are possible.

What part of "just kidding" didn't you read?:rolleyes:

I think we should fuck Arabic Numerals entirely...From now on, I use the Roman System....

Its the only real system anyway.....
How exactly do you plan on achieving penetration? :p

What part of "just kidding" didn't you read?:rolleyes:

I thought you were "just kidding" about the "thanks for nothing." ;)

How exactly do you plan on achieving penetration? :p

Stick to the 0, 6, 8 and 9. 4 would probably be uncomfortable.

In short, then, no solid examples, but a whole lot of theoretical wind. Thanks for nothing.


Bah, just kiddin'. I'm sure it all means something to someone. I just find it amazing that something as simple as the universe needs such ridiculous math to explain it all.

One of my favorite math teachers once told us that a *lot* of math just starts out as 'useless' theoretical stuff that mathematicians start to play around with (e.g., working in higher dimensional spaces), but then some physicist, chemist, etc comes along and finds an application for it for some strange, new discovery.

I thought you were "just kidding" about the "thanks for nothing." ;)

Despite the fact that it came after the whole sentence? You really do live in your own little world, don't you?

One of my favorite math teachers once told us that a *lot* of math just starts out as 'useless' theoretical stuff that mathematicians start to play around with (e.g., working in higher dimensional spaces), but then some physicist, chemist, etc comes along and finds an application for it for some strange, new discovery.

I'm sure that's the case.

The only thing worse than people arguing over artistic taste are those arguing over the economy. Worse still are math nerds fighting.

Despite the fact that it came after the whole sentence? You really do live in your own little world, don't you?

My own little world? I'M THE KING OF THE WORLD!

:hail: YOU WILL BOW BEFORE MY GREATNESS!

You people are making my brain hurt :D Clearly, this requires an alcohol treatment regimen.

BRB, booze.

Hope your head doesn't hurt any more ;)

How convenient that this was going on around New Year's, so you could combine treatment with celebration.