MAA-BIH ORG

Doesn't it have serious problems in some or all of the following areas : testability, the virtual infinity of Universes that inhabit the string theory landscape, the paradoxical background dependence, the excessively difficult mathematics, the absence of a guiding principle such as the Uncertainty principle or the Principle of Equivalence and it's heavy use of highly abstract maths to explain its key features eg. p-branes, supersymmetry, curled-up dimensions, holography,dualities,… amid a dearth of experimental support.Finally, isn't it the case that other contenders notably Loop Quantum Gravity have to progress in it's shadow? Even if only some of this is true isn't it quite unsatisfactory? A bit like the 21st century version of the ether…Apparently for the experts in the field it's beautiful but does that make it true?

Yes. . . . You mean you can take a 42 or more parameter theory and fit it to experimental data?! *Gasps* The truth is, with all the different possible versions, string theories could account for the spontaneous generation of elephants, yet they produce few new PREDICTIONS. It's a mathematical juggernaut that has been used to try and mesh relativity and quantum–yet, having accomplished this, it's not really that much more useful than using relativity or quantum. Quantum field theory so far I think is the best theory created by humans. We'll find out when the new accelerators are built . . .

Has do you brace a structure to make sure that it doesn’t distort when loaded? And, more importantly, how can we prove it without trial and error? Robin Wilson, Gresham Professor of Geometry, explains how a good diagram and simple graph theory can solve this seemingly difficult problem.

This is the 22nd part of ‘A Millennium of Mathematical Puzzles’.
The full lecture is available (in 24 parts) here on YouTube, or it can be downloaded (like all of our lectures) in its complete form from the Gresham College website, in video, audio or text formats:
http://www.gresham.ac.uk

Gresham College has been giving free public lectures since 1597. This tradition continues today with all of our five or so public lectures a week being made available for free download from our website.

Duration : 0:2:40

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Technorati Tags: engineering, geometry, Lecture, Math, mathematics, maths, problem, Puzzle, Wilson

It’s difficult to learn math extremely quickly, but remembering the order of operations is a great place to start. Find out how to speed up the math learning process by practicing multiplication tables with help from a math teacher in this free video series on math help and lessons.

Expert: Jimmy Chang
Contact: www.wearehdtv.com
Bio: Jimmy Chang has been a math teacher at St. Pete College for more than nine years. He has a master’s degree in math and his specialties include calculus, algebra, liberal arts math, and trigonometry.
Filmmaker: Christopher Rokosz

Duration : 0:2:12

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Technorati Tags: calculate, calculations, equations, help, Math, mathematics, problems, reciprocals, roots, square, tips, tutor, variables

How is the topic of physics and calculus related, and how do these topics depend on each other. For example, acceleration is taught in calculus even though it is a pure physics problem. What are some other instances in which these topics depend on each other? what topics? How exactly are they related?

I've noticed over several years, that even excellent math students find calculus and physics difficult, why do many find these topics difficult? Is it the mathematics or concepts that are hard to understand?

I thank all in advance. Thanks.

It just so happens in our universe that the universe can be explained and understood in terms of mathematics. Why this should be the case, nobody knows- that is a meta-physical question. Perhaps we humans need something like mathematics to help us understand the universe, we have used mathematics to analyse, axplain and understand the universe. Or maybe there is a more fundamental connection. Maybe "Mother Nature" is a mathematician…

Acceleration doesn't need to be taught in calculus. A calculus course could be completely abstract, without reference to the real world. But, calculus has found an extremely wide range of application, so it makes sense to bring in the applications in a calculus course, not least because those taking the course may want to apply to real world problems (physicists, engineers, even business men), but it also helps heuristically if it relates to the real world, things that are tangible and 'knowable'.
That is to say, calculus does not depend on physics. Calculus to be completely abstract. But it is quite unlikely that physics would have gotten far without calculus. Just about every branch of physics can be dealt with within the framework of calculus- dynamics, kinematics, hydraulics…- you name it. Some topics in physics would even be impossible without calculus, such as variable acceleration. Even in quantum mechanics, where (almost) everything is discrete, calculus plays an important role.
But, one could say that certain physics problems which required an analysis with calculus, sort of spurred on the developement of calculus, in a similar way that engineering problems pushed physics forward (think Fourier Series etc.).

Why does calculus find so much application in physics? Calculus basically deals with infinitesimal changes- changes that are not zero, but smaller than any imaginable real number. In physics (reality) the universe operates with infinitesimal changes. So calculus (specifically, infinitesimal calculus) works splenidly with the real world where things can be analysed infinitesimally. And such infinitesimal analyses covers the (usual) situation where the quantity in question is not constant, or not even changing at a constant rate, which would not be possible without calculus.
And that would explain why calculus and physics are difficult. Calculus requires thinking about infinitesimal changes, which sound quite contradictory and mind-boggling. Calculus is unlike any other branch in mathematics. Also, physics requires a sort of "visualisation" and intuition about physical reality.
One must also remember that the topics covered in one physics or calculus course (at university) may have taken thinkers and scientists centuries, and even millenia, to come to grips with, and all that thought is condensed into a semester or one year.

It makes you think….

Apologies for the slightly lower image quality than before, but my computer has a tendency to explode when posed with difficult maths questions of this type.

Today we tackle Monty Python’s Flying Circus, one of the most overexposed British comedies of all time.

Stop this synopsis! It’s silly!

,,,ha?

Duration : 0:9:30

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Technorati Tags: Blame, British, Circus, controversial, Flying, Goodies, Monty, Python, Review, Television, Thande

I hate math!!!I can’t understand it!!what the ****ing math!!!!!

Duration : 0:6:47

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Technorati Tags: difficult, hate, Math, much, understand, VERY, 书, 数学, 讨厌, 踩

I've recently been going back into education to try and achieve my maths level 2 which is equal to a O level grade.I took a exam but failed,my main problem is remembering the formula's for certain problems also area,shape and width i find difficult

Try To Read It. By Heart

The introduction to a series of four videos about Evolution, and how evolutionary mathematics not only explains how evolution itself works, but also can explain animal behaviour, altruism and even why morality exists. Although about mathematics, the videos are NOT difficult to follow for those not mathematically inclined…..

Duration : 0:10:5

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Technorati Tags: Darwin, Evolution, Game, mathematics, Theory

Here it is:
I work a s a busser in a restaurant. The hours are from 5 to 10. There is another busser that works from 5 to 8, then he goes home. At the end of the night the servers pay me the tips for both of us (the other busser and I) and I am supposed to pay a share of those tips to the other guy in a fair way.
Now, from 5 to 8 is kind of slow. It's from 8 to 10 when you see the real rush. Therefore, the tips received from 5 to 8 are less than the ones received from 8 to 10. I thought about calculating the tips from 5 to 8 and divide them by to. The rest of the tips (from 8 to 10) are only for me, since he goes home at 8, as I said. However is very hard to start calculating tips at 8 because we are in the middle of the service and the owner is around, so we cant do that. In your opinion, how can I calculate the tips then in the most fair way?
Thanks.
PS
Forget about taxes and other legal aspects of tipping, just focus in the math please. Thanks.

Lets start with an assumption (you will have to figure out a way to measure this, perhaps track the numbers of people signing in): Lets say that from 8 to 10 there is 50% more traffic.

That means from 5 to 8 (3 hours) you are both working, and the tips should be divided equally.

From 8 to 10, (2hrs) only you are receiving tips and there are 50% more people there (assume tipping rate does not change) Here is the formula:

3a + (3a + 2b) = x$, where a = $ amount of tips/hr from 5 to 8 and b =$ amount of tips/hr from 8 to 10. The "3" and "2" indicate how many hours each of you worked in those given time periods, thus 3a = your buddy, and (3a + 2b) = you. ok so far? (the final answer will be the percentage of total $ that each of you get)

You need to make 'b' a function of 'a' in order to solve for a single variable. We already said that 'b' was 50% more than a (or 150% of a), so;

b = a(1.5) ; now insert the definition of b into the equation;

3a + (3a + 2(1.5a)) = 1 and solve for a;
3a+3a+3a = 100%
9a = 100%

a = 11.11 (%); now solve for b;

b = 1.5a
b = 1.5 (11.11)

b = 16.66

Now figure what each of you should get:

You are (3a + 2b) = x
3(11.11) + 2(16.66) = 66.6% of total tips.

Your buddy is 3a = x; or 3(11.11) = 33.3% of total tips. (doesn't perfectly add to 100% due to rounding)

This is basically a weighted average.

You can set b = 1.0 if there is no change in volume, b = 1.25 for 25% more etc, and solve for a in the same manner.

Lyrics:

We were both young when we first saw it
We looked at it and we felt retarded
Wasnt fair, schools so broke the books we had to share

I see the plus, see the minus multiplication
All this math, man I need a vacation
I said so, little did I know

That you were Mr. Hahn and you were throwin equations
That no one got besides those smarty ole Asians - I dont know what it is
But those kids get As on every quiz
And I said

Hahn please teach me all about this math right now
Ill be ok if you could just show me how
To do these problems that are so hard for me
Its a math story, Ill just choose B

So I sneak out of class you dont see me
Ill keep quiet, because Im dead if they see
So Ill be gone escape this class for a little while.
No, No

Cause you were Mr. Hahn I was a horrible student
And my mommy said better get a good grade
But it was too hard for me
I was begging you, please an A
And I said

Hahn please teach me all about this math right now
Ill be ok if you could just show me how
To do these problems that are so hard for me
Its a math story, Ill just choose B

Mr. Hahn help me, quit trying to tell me how to deal b
This math is difficult, but its real.
I am afraid, Ill make a big mess of this.
Its a math story, someone just help me.

I got tired of learning.
Wondering if I was going to figure it out.
My mind is slowly fading.
Im filled with frustration and doubt.
And I said

Mr. Hahn help me math is just not my thing
I keep waiting, but its so hard you see
Is this in my head, I dont know what to think
I sat in my chair and pulled out my book and said

Hahn please teach me all about this math right now
Ill be ok if you could just show me how
To do these problems that are so hard for me
Its a math story, Ill just choose B

Cuz we were both young when we first saw it

Duration : 0:3:50

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Technorati Tags: dom, hahn, kyle, love, maht, Mr, prject, rett, sexy, story