Math Blog

Mathematicians to find MH370 Debris?

Source: http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2…for_the_black.html

Australian authorities have announced that satellite images taken of a stretch of ocean 1,550 miles southwest of Perth, Australia, are believed to show floating debris that could be part of missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370. “It is probably the best lead we have right now,” said John Young, a spokesman for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. Confirmation of the material’s provenance will likely have to wait, however. While a merchant vessel has arrived in the area to help with the search, poor visibility has prevented search aircraft from locating the debris, and the nearest Australian Navy ship is several days’ sail away.

The search for Air France 447 offers a useful template for how investigators can whittle away at the seemingly unsolvable mystery of a midocean airliner disappearance. After the Airbus A330 went missing over the middle of the equatorial Atlantic in 2009, search aircraft took just one day to locate the first pieces of floating wreckage. The recovery of the black box, however, took another painstaking two years, and a full assessment of its implications another year after that.

The first step after determining the debris’ location is to call in the mathematicians. Based on all the data available—the aircraft’s last known position, route of flight, altitude, prevailing winds, sea currents, ocean depth, and so on—a probability is assigned to each variable, and a distribution map of probable locations on the sea floor is generated. Searchers can then deploy their underwater assets to scour the vastness of the deep, working back and forth along grid lines laid out in the areas of maximum probability.

There’s a deep problem inherent in this approach, however, and it’s that the probabilities are themselves only guesses. Searchers are uncertain even as to the extent of their own uncertainty. In the case of Air France 447, the set of base-set assumptions turned out to be wrong, and the first two search seasons scoured thousands of square miles in vain.

What turned the tide for AF447 searchers, in the end, was better math and better undersea technology. A recalculation of the location probabilities using a different mathematical approach led to the redrawing of the search grids much closer to the site of the plane’s disappearance. And a new type of autonomous undersea vehicle—a robot sub, in other words—became available for the first time. Called Remus 6000, these subs were able to navigate on their own along precise grid lines, ascending and diving to match the contours of the undersea terrain. On April 3, 2011, less than a week after the refined search began, one of the three submersibles deployed in the search returned to its mother ship bearing images of a debris field scattered across an abyssal plain. AF447 had been found. A month later another type of unmanned submersible brought the black boxes to the surface.

LaTeX – Multiline equations, systems and matrices

This is how to type LaTeX equations on WordPress blogs!

Jakog's avatarMachine Intelligence ?

This is the 3rd post in the series. Previous ones:

Many of the examples shown here were adapted from the Wikipedia article Displaying a formula, which is actually about formulas in Math Markup.

You can present equations with several lines, using the array statement. Inside its declaration you must :

  • Define the number of columns
  • Define column alignment
  • Define column indentation
  • Indicate column separator with & symbol &

Example: {lcr} means: 3 columns with indentations respectively left, center and right

begin{array}{lcl} z & = & a f(x,y,z) & = & x + y + z end{array}

$latex begin{array}{lcl} z & = & a f(x,y,z) & = & x + y + z end{array} &fg=aa0000&s=1 $

begin{array}{rcr} z & = & a f(x,y,z) & = & x + y + z end{array}

$latex begin{array}{rcr} z & = &…

View original post 601 more words

Sum of roots and Product of roots of Quadratic Equation

Given a quadratic equation ax^2+bx+c=0 with roots \alpha and \beta, we have:

\displaystyle\boxed{\alpha+\beta=\frac{-b}{a}}

\displaystyle\boxed{\alpha\beta=\frac{c}{a}}

How do we prove this? It is actually due to the quadratic formula!

Recall that the quadratic formula gives the roots of the quadratic equation as: \displaystyle\boxed{x=\frac{-b\pm \sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}}

Now, we can let

\displaystyle \alpha=\frac{-b+\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}

\displaystyle \beta=\frac{-b-\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}

Hence,

\displaystyle \alpha+\beta=\frac{-2b}{2a}=\frac{-b}{a}

\begin{array}{rcl}  \displaystyle    \alpha\beta&=&\frac{-b+\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}\times\frac{-b-\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}\\    &=&\frac{b^2-(b^2-4ac)}{4a^2}\\    &=&\frac{4ac}{4a^2}\\    &=&\frac{c}{a}\end{array}

In the above proof, we made use of the identity (A+B)(A-B)=A^2-B^2

The above formulas are also known as Vieta’s formulas (for quadratic). There we have it, this is how we prove the formula for the sum and product of roots!

H1/H2/H3 Maths Formula List/ Formula Sheet

Download H1/H2/H3 Maths Formula List: www.seab.gov.sg/aLevel/2015Syllabus/ListMF15.pdf‎

LIST OF FORMULAE
AND
STATISTICAL TABLES
for
Mathematics
For use from 2010 in all papers for the H1, H2 and H3 Mathematics syllabuses.

Gauss Library Records

tomcircle's avatarMath Online Tom Circle

If we were to choose only 3 greatest scientists in the entire human history, who excelled in every field of science and mathematics, they are:
1) Archimedes
2) Issac Newton
3) Carl Friedrich Gauss

Let’s see how Gauss became a great scientist in his formative years in the university, it would give us a clue by knowing what kind of books did he read ?

Carl Friedrich Gauss was awarded a 3-year ‘overseas’ scholarship to study in Göttingen University (located in the neighboring state Hanover) by his own state sponsor the Duke of Brunswick.

Gauss chose Göttingen University because of its rich collection of books.
During the 3 years, he read very widely on average 8 books in a month.

Below was his student days’ library records:

1795-1796 (1st semister): total 35 books
Math (M) :1 ,
Astrology (A):2,
History/Philosophy (H): 1,
Literature/ Language (L): 15,
Science Journal (S): 16

View original post 188 more words

New “Nobel” Prizes

tomcircle's avatarMath Online Tom Circle

Recent years, there are more newly created “Nobel” Prizes with much bigger prize amounts than the Nobel prize:

BREAKTHROUGH PRIZE IN LIFE SCIENCE (2013)
Donated by:
Yuri Milner (Russian Internet Billionaire)
Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook Founder)
Sergey Brin (Google co-founder)
US$ 3 million
Award Frequency: Every year
Status: 9 scientists had been awarded


FUNDAMENTAL PHYSCIS PRIZE (2012)

Donated by Yuri Milner
US$ 3 million

TANG PRIZE 唐奨 (2013)
Donated by Samual Yin 尹衍梁 (Taiwan Property Tycoon) for Asian countries.
US$ 1.675 million
Frequency: Every 2 years

QUEEN ELIZABETH ENGINEERING PRIZE (2013)
US$ 1.5 million

NOBEL PRIZE (1901)
US$ 1.2 million

SHAW PRIZE 邵逸夫奨 (2004)
Donated by Run Run Shaw (Hong Kong Movie Producer Billionaire)
US$ 1 million

LASKER AWARD (1946)
US$ 250,000

BLAVATNIK YOUNG SCIENTIST AWARD (2013)
Donated by Len Blavatnik (Billionaire Investor)
US$ 250,000

FIELDS MEDAL (1936)
US$ 14,700

View original post

Khan Academy

tomcircle's avatarMath Online Tom Circle

I find Khan Linear Algebra video excellent. The founder / teacher Sal Khan has the genius to explain this not-so-easy topic in modular videos steps by steps, from 2-dimensional vectors to 3-dimensional, working with you by hand to compute eigenvalues and eigenvectors, and show you what they mean in graphic views.

If you are taking Linear Algebra course in university, or revising it, just go through all the Khan’s short (5-20 mins) videos on Linear Algebra here:

In 138 lessons sequence:

http://theopenacademy.com/content/linear-algebra-khan-academy

or random revision:

http://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqXgtGPHph5ZLP-XMktk0Ggzte-xAxvI9

View original post

Facebook & Ranking Elo Formula

tomcircle's avatarMath Online Tom Circle

Eduardo Saverin (now a Singaporean billionaire investor) gave the wrong Elo formula to his Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerburg, both of them became ‘accidental’ billionaire. Watch the video clip in the movie “Social Network”:

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=BzZRr4KV59I

The Elo formula is based on the theory of Normal Distribution with Logarithm function, from base of exponential e to base of 10.
The correct Elo Formula should be :
$Latex boxed
{
E_a =frac{1}
{1+ frac{1}{400}.Huge 10^{(R_b – R_a)}
}
}$

$Latex boxed
{
E_b =frac{1}
{1+ frac{1}{400}.Huge 10^{(R_a – R_b)}
}
}$

Eduardo had missed the power ^ below:

20130616-024218.jpg

View original post

Math Chants

tomcircle's avatarMath Online Tom Circle

Math Chants make learning Math formulas or Math properties fun and easy for memory . Some of them we learned in secondary school stay in the brain for whole life, even after leaving schools for decades.

Math chant is particularly easy in Chinese language because of its single syllable sound with 4 musical tones (like do-rei-mi-fa) – which may explain why Chinese students are good in Math, as shown in the International Math Olympiad championships frequently won by China and Singapore school students.

1. A crude example is the quadratic formula which people may remember as a little chant:
ex equals minus bee plus or minus the square root of bee squared minus four ay see all over two ay.”

$latex boxed{
x = frac{-b pm sqrt{b^{2}-4ac}}
{2a}
}$

2. $latex mathbb{NZQRC}$
Nine Zulu Queens Rule China

3. $latex boxed {cos 3A = 4cos^{3}…

View original post 193 more words

Math Comic Book

Manga guide to Math series

The Manga Guide to Linear Algebra
The Manga Guide to Calculus
The Manga Guide to Statistics

Check out the following interesting comic books explaining Math (Calculus, Linear Algebra, and Statistics) in a fun and enjoyable way.

In The Manga Guide to Calculus, you’ll follow along with Noriko as she learns that calculus is more than just a class designed to weed out would-be science majors. You’ll see that calculus is a useful way to understand the patterns in physics, economics, and the world around us, with help from real-world examples like probability, supply and demand curves, the economics of pollution, and the density of Shochu (a Japanese liquor).

Mr. Seki teaches Noriko how to:

  • Use differentiation to understand a function’s rate of change
  • Apply the fundamental theorem of calculus, and grasp the relationship between a function’s derivative and its integral
  • Integrate and differentiate trigonometric and other complicated functions
  • Use multivariate calculus and partial differentiation to deal with tricky functions
  • Use Taylor Expansions to accurately imitate difficult functions with polynomials

Whether you’re struggling through a calculus course for the first time or you just need a painless refresher, you’ll find what you’re looking for in The Manga Guide to Calculus.

Follow along in The Manga Guide to Linear Algebra as Reiji takes Misa from the absolute basics of this tricky subject through mind-bending operations like performing linear transformations, calculating determinants, and finding eigenvectors and eigenvalues. With memorable examples like miniature golf games and karate tournaments, Reiji transforms abstract concepts into something concrete, understandable, and even fun.

As you follow Misa through her linear algebra crash course, you’ll learn about:

  • Basic vector and matrix operations such as addition, subtraction, and multiplication
  • Linear dependence, independence, and bases
  • Using Gaussian elimination to calculate inverse matrices
  • Subspaces, dimension, and linear span
  • Practical applications of linear algebra in fields like computer graphics, cryptography, and engineering

But Misa’s brother may get more than he bargained for as sparks start to fly between student and tutor. Will Reiji end up with the girl—or just a pummeling from her oversized brother? Real math, real romance, and real action come together like never before in The Manga Guide to Linear Algebra.

The Manga Guide to Statistics

This manga textbook is written for those interested in understanding principles of statistics. Each of the seven chapters is organized into four sections: a cartoon, a text explanation to supplement the cartoon, an exercise that includes the answer, and a summary. Readers can learn much about the subject by just reading the cartoon, but they will gain a more thorough understanding by working through the other three sections in each chapter. Yamamoto provides Rui with easy-to-understand examples and graphic illustrations, making the subject less intimidating.


Guest blog submission

Write for us: Call for guest bloggers

mathtuition88.com is calling for guest bloggers to write on topics related to math and/or education.

mathtuition88.com is currently Google PageRank 4 and has Alexa ranking of 1,298,325 (rising).

If you are interested to write for us and submit a guest post, please contact us at mathtuition88@gmail.com, or drop us a message in the comments below! 🙂

Multiply by 9999 trick

Multiply by 9999 trick

Here is a nice trick to multiply a 4 digit number by 9999.

For instance, lets try multiplying 1729 by 9999.

First, we reduce 1729 by 1.

1729-1=1728

Then, we subtract each of the above digits from 9 to get 8271.

(9-1=8, 9-7=2, 9-2=7, 9-8=1)

In conclusion, 9999 x 1729=1728,8271.

Impressive isn’t it?

This trick works for many 9s too, for example multiplying by 99999999.

To multiply 9999 with a number with less digits, for instance, 12, simply pad zeroes in front of the number, to become 0012.

Then, using the above method, 9999 x 0012 = 0011,9988=119988.

Secrets of Mental Math: The Mathemagician’s Guide to Lightning Calculation and Amazing Math Tricks

What is “sin A”

tomcircle's avatarMath Online Tom Circle

What is “sin A” concretely ?

1. Draw a circle (diameter 1)
2. Connect any 3 points on the circle to form a triangle of angles A, B, C.
3. The length of sides opposite A, B, C are sin A, sin B, sin C, respectively.

Proof:
By Sine Rule:

$latex frac{a}{sin A} = frac{b}{sin B} =frac{c}{sin C} = 2R = 1$
where sides a,b,c opposite angles A, B, C respectively.
a = sin A
b = sin B
c = sin C

20130421-193110.jpg

View original post

Vector Algebra

tomcircle's avatarMath Online Tom Circle

Vector changes Geometry to Algebra

1. No complexity of Analytical Geometry
2. Remove the astute dotted (helping) line in Geometry
3. No need diagram: Use only 2 vector properties:
Head- to-Tail:
$latex vec{AC}=vec{AB}+vec {BC}$
Closed Loop:
$latex vec{DE}+vec{EF}+vec{FD}=0$
4. Enable Computer automated proof of Geometry via Algebra.

Example: 任意四边形 Quadrilateral ABCD with M,N midpoints of AB, CD, resp.
Prove: MN=1/2(BC+AD)
Proof: (by vector):

Consider MBCN:
MN=MB+ BC+ CN..(1)

Consider MADN:
MN=MA+ AD+ DN..(2)

(1) +(2):
2MN=(MB +MA) +
(BC +AD) +(CN +DN)

but (MB +MA) =0,
(CN +DN) =0 [same magnitude but different direction cancelled out ]

=> MN=1/2 (BC +AD)

Special cases:
1. A = B (=M)
=> triangle ACD
AN = 1/2 (AC +AD)
2. BC // AD
=> Trapezium ABCD
MN=1/2 (BC +AD)
=> MN // BC // AD

View original post

Plato Solids

tomcircle's avatarMath Online Tom Circle

Why only 5 Plato solids ?

Plato Solid is: Regular Polyhedron 正多面体

  • Each Face is n-sided polygon
  • Each Vertex is common to m-edges (m ≥ 3)

Only 5 solids possible:
Tetrahedron (n,m)=(3,3) 正四面体platonic_solids
Hexahedron (or Cube) (n,m)=(4,3) 正六面体
Octahedron  (n,m)=(3,4)正八面体
Dodecahedron  (n,m)=(5,3)正十二面体
Icosahedron  (n,m)=(3,5)正二十面体

Proof:
Since each Edge (E) is common to 2 Faces (F)
=> n Faces counts double the edges
nF = 2E …(1)

Since each Vertex has m Edges, each Edge has 2 end-points (Vertex).
=> m Vertex counts double the edges
mV = 2E …(2)

(1) : E= n/2 F
(2): V= 2/m. E = n/m. F
(1) & (2) into Euler Formula: V -E + F = 2
(n/m. F) – (n/2.F) + F = 2
F.(2m + 2n – mn) = 4m

Since F>0 , m>0
=> (2m + 2n – mn) >0
=> – (mn -2n -2m) >…
=> (mn -2n -2m) <…
=>…

View original post 154 more words

Indian Vedic Math

tomcircle's avatarMath Online Tom Circle

Bharati Krishna Tirthaji @ early 19xx, a former Indian child prodigy graduating in Sanskrit, Philosophy, English, Math, History & Science at age 20.

16 sutras (aphorisms):
1. By one more than the one before
2. All from 9 and the last from 10
3. Vertically and cross-wise
4. Transpose and Apply
5. If the Samuccaya is the same it is Zero
6. If One is in Ratio the Other is Zero
7. By + and by –
8. By the Completion or Non-Completion
9. Differential Calculus
10. By the Deficiency
11. Specific and General
12. The Remainders by the Last Digit
13. The Ultimate and Twice the Penultimate
14. By One Less than the One Before
15. The Product of the Sum
16. All the Multipliers

View original post

Vedic (Multiply)

tomcircle's avatarMath Online Tom Circle

Vedic Math & 16 Sutras

[s2]: All from 9 and the last from 10
[s3a]: Vertically and
[s3b]: Cross-wise

Example: 872 x 997 = Y ?

Apply [s2]: (8-9) =-1 , (7-9)= -2 , last (2-10) = -8
872 -> [-128]

[s2]: (9-9) = & (9-9)= & last (7-10)=-3
997 -> [-003]

Arrange in 2 vertical columns as:
872 -> [-128]
997 -> [-003]

[s3a]: (Vertically):
[-128] x [-003] =384

[s3b]: (Cross-wise):
872 + [-003] = 869
=> Y = 869,384

Now, Quick Demo : Calculate 892,763 x 999,998 = Y

892,763 [-107,267]
999,998 [-2]
=> Y= 892,761,214,534

View original post 2 more words

Vedic (Factorize)

tomcircle's avatarMath Online Tom Circle

Vedic Sutras:
[s1]: proportionally
[s2]: first by first and last by last

Example 1: E= 2x² + 7x +6

Split 7x = 3x+4x
First ratio of coefficient (2x²+3x) -> 2:3
Last ratio of coefficient (4x+6) -> 4:6=2:3
=> 1st factor = (2x+3)

2nd factor:
2x²/(2x) +6/(3)= (x+2)

=> E = (2x+3).(x+2)

Example 2: Factorize E(x, y, z) = x²+xy-2y²+2xz -5yz-3z²

1. Let z =…
E’= x²+xy-2y² = (x+2y)(x-y)

2. Let y=0
E’= x²+2xz-3z² = (x+3z)(x-z)

=> E(x, y, z) = (x+2y+3z)(x-y-z)

Example 3:  P(x, y, z) = 3x² + 7xy + 2y² +11xz + 7yz + 6z² + 14x + 8y + 14z + 8

1. Eliminate y=z=0, retain x:

P = 3x²+14x+8= (x+4)(3x+2)

2. Eliminate…

View original post 33 more words

Vedic (GCD Polynomials)

tomcircle's avatarMath Online Tom Circle

G.C.D Polynomials by Vedic Math

Find G.C.D of P(x) & Q(x):

P(x) = 4x³ +13x²+19x+4
Q(x) = 2x³+5x²+5x -4

Vedic method:
1. Eliminate 4x³ in P(x):
P – 2Q = 3x² +9x+12

/3 => P-2Q = (x²+3x+4)

2. Q+P = 6x³+18x²+24x

/(6x) => Q+P = (x²+3x+4)

3. G.C.D. = (x²+3x+4)

P= (x² +3x+4).(ax+b) = 4x³ +13x²+19x+4
=> a=4, b=1
Similarly,
Q= (x² +3x+4).(2x+1) = 2x³+5x²+5x -4

View original post

Amateur vs Professional

tomcircle's avatarMath Online Tom Circle

Amateur versus Professional

1. Amateur is at liberty to study only those things he likes.
2. Professional must also study what he doesn’t like.
3. Conclusion: Most famous theorems are found by Amateurs.

Examples:
Fermat = Judge (Number Theory, Probabilty),
Venn = Anglican Pastor (Venn Diagram),
Ramanujan = Railway clerk (Number Theory)
Cayley = Lawyer (Group),
Leibniz = Diplomat (Calculus, Binary 0 & 1)

View original post

Arabic Problem

tomcircle's avatarMath Online Tom Circle

This is an old arabic problem:

An old man had 11 horses. When he died, his will stated the following distribution to his 3 sons:
1/2 gives to the eldest son,
1/4 for 2nd son,
1/6 for 3rd son.

Find: how many horses each son gets ?

There are 2 methods to solve: first using simple arithmetic trick without knowing the theory behind; the second method will explain the first method “from an advanced standpoint” – Number Theory (Felix Klein’s Vision )

1) Arithmetic trick:

11 is odd, not divisible by 2, 4 and 6.

Loan 1 horse to the old man:
11+1 = 12

1st son gets: 12/2 = 6 horses
2nd son gets:12/4 = 3 horses
3rd son gets: 12/6 = 2 horses

Total = 6+3+2=11 horses

Up to you if you want the old man to return the 1 loan horse 🙂

Strange! WHY ?

2)

View original post 385 more words

Differentiating under integral

tomcircle's avatarMath Online Tom Circle

Prove: (Euler Gamma Γ Function)
$latex displaystyle n! = int_{0}^{infty}{x^{n}.e^{-x}dx}$

Proof:
∀ a>0
Integrate by parts:

$latex displaystyleint_{0}^{infty}{e^{-ax}dx}=-frac{1}{a}e^{-ax}Bigr|_{0}^{infty}=frac{1}{a}$

∀ a>0
$latex displaystyleint_{0}^{infty}{e^{-ax}dx}=frac{1}{a}$ …[1]

Feynman trick: differentiating under integral => d/da left side of [1]

$latex displaystylefrac{d}{da}displaystyleint_{0}^{infty}e^{-ax}dx= int_{0}^{infty}frac{d}{da}(e^{-ax})dx=int_{0}^{infty} -xe^{-ax}dx$

Differentiate the right side of [1]:
$latex displaystylefrac{d}{da}(frac{1}{a}) = -frac{1}{a^2}$
=>
$latex a^{-2}=int_{0}^{infty}xe^{-ax}dx$

Continue to differentiate with respect to ‘a’:
$latex -2a^{-3} =int_{0}^{infty}-x^{2}e^{-ax}dx$
$latex 2a^{-3} =int_{0}^{infty}x^{2}e^{-ax}dx$
$latex frac{d}{da} text{ both sides}$
$latex 2.3a^{-4} =int_{0}^{infty}x^{3}e^{-ax}dx$


$latex 2.3.4dots n.a^{-(n+1)} =int_{0}^{infty}x^{n}e^{-ax}dx$
Set a = 1
$latex boxed{n!=int_{0}^{infty}x^{n}e^{-x}dx}$ [QED]

Another Example using “Feynman Integration”:

$latex displaystyle text{Evaluate }int_{0}^{1}frac{x^{2}-1}{ln x} dx$

$latex displaystyle text{Let I(b)} = int_{0}^{1}frac{x^{b}-1}{ln x} dx$ ; for b > -1

$latex displaystyle text{I'(b)} = frac{d}{db}int_{0}^{1}frac{x^{b}-1}{ln x} dx = int_{0}^{1}frac{d}{db}(frac{x^{b}-1}{ln x}) dx$

$latex x^{b} = e^{ln x^{b}} = e^{b.ln x} $

$latex frac{d}{db}(x^{b}) = frac{d}{db}e^{b.ln x}=e^{b.ln x}.{ln x}= e^{ln x^{b}}.{ln x}=x^{b}.{ln x}$

$latex text{I'(b)}=int_{0}^{1} x^{b} dx=frac{x^{b+1}}{b+1}Bigr|_{0}^{1} = frac{1}{b+1}$
=>
$latex…

View original post 52 more words

Derivative Meaning

tomcircle's avatarMath Online Tom Circle

The derivative of a function can be thought of as:

(1) Infinitesimal: the ratio of the infinitesimal change in the value of a function to the infinitesimal change in a function.

(2) Symbolic: The derivative of
$Latex x^{n} = nx^{n-1} $
the derivative of sin(x) is cos(x),
the derivative of f°g is f’°g*g’,
etc.

(3) Logical:
$Latex boxed{text{f'(x) = d}} $
$Latex Updownarrow $
$latex forall varepsilon, exists delta, text{ such that }$
$latex boxed{
0 < |Delta x| < delta,
implies
Bigr|frac{f(x+Delta x)-f(x)}{Delta x} – d Bigr| < varepsilon
}$

(4) Geometric: the derivative is the slope of a line tangent to the graph of the function, if the graph has a tangent.

(5) Rate: the instantaneous speed of f(t), when t is time.

(6) Approximation: The derivative of a function is the best linear approximation to the function near a point.

(7)

View original post 86 more words

French Curve

tomcircle's avatarMath Online Tom Circle

The French method of drawing curves is very systematic:

“Pratique de l’etude d’une fonction”

Let f be the function represented by the curve C

Steps:

1. Simplify f(x). Determine the Domain of definition (D) of f;
2. Determine the sub-domain E of D, taking into account of the periodicity (eg. cos, sin, etc) and symmetry of f;
3. Study the Continuity of f;
4. Study the derivative of fand determine f'(x);
5. Find the limits of fwithin the boundary of the intervals in E;
6. Construct the Table of Variation;
7. Study the infinite branches;
8. Study the remarkable points: point of inflection, intersection points with the X and Y axes;
9. Draw the representative curve C.

Example:

$latex displaystyletext{f: } x mapsto frac{2x^{3}+27}{2x^2}$
Step 1: Determine the Domain of Definition D
D = R* = R –…

View original post 453 more words

Prime Secret: ζ(s)

tomcircle's avatarMath Online Tom Circle

Riemann intuitively found the Zeta Function ζ(s), but couldn’t prove it. Computer ‘tested’ it correct up to billion numbers.

$latex zeta(s)=1+frac{1}{2^{s}}+frac{1}{3^{s}}+frac{1}{4^{s}}+dots$

Or equivalently (see note *)

$latex frac {1}{zeta(s)} =(1-frac{1}{2^{s}})(1-frac{1}{3^{s}})(1-frac{1}{5^{s}})(1-frac{1}{p^{s}})dots$

ζ(1) = Harmonic series (Pythagorean music notes) -> diverge to infinity
(See note #)

ζ(2) = Π²/6 [Euler]

ζ(3) = not Rational number.

1. The Riemann Hypothesis:
All non-trivial zeros of the zeta function have real part one-half.

ie ζ(s)= 0 where s= ½ + bi

Trivial zeroes are s= {- even Z}:
s(-2) = 0 =s(-4) =s(-6) =s(-8)…

You might ask why Re(s)=1/2 has to do with Prime number ?

There is another Prime Number Theorem (PNT) conjectured by Gauss and proved by Hadamard and Poussin:

π(Ν) ~ N / log N
ε = π(Ν) – N / log N
The error ε hides in the Riemann Zeta Function’s non-trivial zeroes, which all lie on the Critical…

View original post 195 more words

Golden Ratio Φ

tomcircle's avatarMath Online Tom Circle

A—————C———-B

$Latex frac {AB}{AC} = frac{AC}{CB}$
= 1.61803… = Φ
= $Latex frac {1+ sqrt{5}} {2}$

$Latex frac {6}{5} Phi^2$
= ∏ = 3.14159…

Donald Knuth (Great Computer Mathematician, Stanford University, LaTex inventor) noted the Bible uses a phrase like:
as my Father is to me, I am to you
=> F= Father = line AB
I (or me) = AC
U = You = CB
=> F/I = I/U = Φ
Note: Φ = 1.61803 = – 2 sin 666°

View original post

Math in Nature Video (3 million views!)

Math in Nature Video (3 million views!)

A movie inspired on numbers, geometry and nature, by Cristóbal Vila. One of the most popular Math videos on Youtube.

In this video, you can see how Fibonacci Numbers, the Golden Ratio, and Fractals are often found in nature.

Like the video? Leave your comments below, and share this page with your friends using the Facebook, Twitter sharing buttons below!

Alexa Toolbar

The Alexa Toolbar for Internet Explorer

Site: http://www.alexa.com/toolbar

Alexa Toolbar

Features:

  • siteinfoAlexa Traffic Rank: See how popular a website is.
  • relatedRelated Links: Find sites that are similar to the site you are visiting.
  • waybackWayback: See how a site looked in the past.
  • hoturlsHot Pages & Searches: See what’s popular on the web right now.

Alexa Internet, Inc. is a California-based subsidiary company of Amazon.com which provides commercial web traffic data. Founded as an independent company in 1996, Alexa was acquired by Amazon in 1999. Its toolbar collects data on browsing behavior and transmits it to the Alexa website, where it is stored and analyzed, forming the basis for the company’s web traffic reporting. As of 2013, Alexa provides traffic data, global rankings and other information on 30 million websites,[3] and its website is visited by over 8.5 million people monthly. (Wikipedia)

Download the free Alexa Toolbar at: http://www.alexa.com/toolbar

Right brain training

Right brain training

This post is a review on Right brain training, and also a list of resources that one can research on regarding to the popular method of Right brain training.


(Source: https://theconversation.com/mondays-medical-myth-you-can-selectively-train-your-left-or-right-brain-4704)

When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, getting your body in shape often tops the list. But what about your brain?

Top Seller on Amazon.com on Right brain training

If your left or right brain is feeling a little flabby, there’s a wide range of books, teaching programs, and even a Nintendo DS game, purporting to train your left and/or right brain. Indeed, if you Google “right brain training”, you’ll score 53,900,000 hits.

These products are based on the belief that the left and right hemispheres are polar opposites. The left brain is often characterised as your intelligent side: rational, logical and analytic. In contrast the right brain is stereotyped as the “touchy-feely” hemisphere, viewed as artistic, creative, and emotive.

 

Such left and right brain stereotypes have led theorists to suggest that people can be classified according to their “hemisphericity”. If you’re a logical, rational scientist, for instance, you’re left-brained. But creative types, from artists to writers, are right-brained.


Based on my teaching experience, I do find that left-handers (right-brained) students tend to be very creative and usually excel at arts and humanities. However, their math skills can be good too, especially with practice. This shows that the human brain is like a muscle, it gets better with practice and use.

Did you know our Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is left-handed too? Barack Obama is also left-handed. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is very good at math, so this should dispel any myths that left-handed students are not good at math.

Barack Obama is left-handed

(Source: http://psychology.about.com/od/cognitivepsychology/a/left-brain-right-brain.htm)

Left Brain vs Right Brain

Understanding the Myth of Left Brain and Right Brain Dominance

The Right Brain

According to the left-brain, right-brain dominance theory, the right side of the brain is best at expressive and creative tasks. Some of the abilities that are popularly associated with the right side of the brain include:

  • Recognizing faces
  • Expressing emotions
  • Music
  • Reading emotions
  • Color
  • Images
  • Intuition
  • Creativity

The Left Brain

The left-side of the brain is considered to be adept at tasks that involve logic, language and analytical thinking. The left-brain is often described as being better at:

  • Language
  • Logic
  • Critical thinking
  • Numbers
  • Reasoning

Also, check out the above Youtube video to check if you are a right-brained or left-brained person!

The Right Brain vs Left Brain test … do you see the dancer turning clockwise or anti-clockwise?

If clockwise, then you use more of the right side of the brain and vice versa.

Most of us would see the dancer turning anti-clockwise though you can try to focus and change the direction; see if you can do it.

LEFT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
uses logic
detail oriented
facts rule
words and language
present and past
math and science
can comprehend
knowing
acknowledges
order/pattern perception
knows object name
reality based
forms strategies
practical
safe

RIGHT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
uses feeling
“big picture” oriented
imagination rules
symbols and images
present and future
philosophy & religion
can “get it” (i.e. meaning)
believes
appreciates
spatial perception
knows object function
fantasy based
presents possibilities
impetuous
risk taking

Right Brain Training Test

Take the test to see if you are right-brained or left-brained!

Any comments or websites about Right brain training to share? Leave your comments below!


Right Brain Training Video

Watch this free brain training video and follow the instructions to increase your brain power. This is an online “game” that really works to improve brain function. You can actually feel it work!

Brain Training can increase your brain power just like weight training can increase your strength. Use this exercise to work out your brain. Bookmark this video and come back and practice with variations on the basics as discussed in the video.


Right Brain Training Books


A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future

Right-Brained Children in a Left-Brained World: Unlocking the Potential of Your ADD Child

Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain Workbook: The Definitive, Updated 2nd Edition

Welcome to the Teach100 community!

Recently, I added the Maths Blog to the Teach100 website. Glad to know that the blog has been approved!

“Thank you for submitting Singapore Maths Tuition to the Teach100! Your blog has been approved and is currently ranked at #427 of 601 blogs. Congratulations! We recently reached our 500th blog, and are excited to add your blog to our growing community!”

http://teach.com/teach100/blogs/718-Singapore-Maths-Tuition

Teach.com

What is i^i

tomcircle's avatarMath Online Tom Circle

$Latex i^{i } = 0.207879576…$
$latex i = sqrt{-1}$

If a is algebraic and b is algebraic but irrational then $latex a^b $ is transcendental. (Gelfond-Schneider Theorem)

Since i is algebraic but irrational, the theorem applies.

1. We know
$latex e^{ix}= cos x + i sin x$

Let $latex x = pi/2 $

2. $latex e^{i pi/2} = cos pi/2 + i sin pi/2 $

$latex cos pi/2 = cos 90^circ = 0 $

$latex sin 90^circ = 1 $
$latex i sin 90^circ = (i)*(1) = i $

3. Therefore
$latex e^{ipi/2} = i$
4. Take the ith power of both sides, the right side being $latex i^i $ and the left side =
$latex (e^{ipi/2})^{i}= e^{-pi/2} $
5. Therefore
$latex i^{i} = e^{-pi/2} = .207879576…$

View original post

What is i^i ?

What is i to the power of i?

When you first learnt that \boxed{i=\sqrt{-1}}, you have entered the mysterious world of complex numbers.

A mystifying question would be to ask, what is i to the power of i? Is it a complex number?

The surprising answer is that i^i is a real number! Let us explain it here:

The key step is to use Euler’s formula: \boxed{e^{i\pi}=-1}. This has been voted as the most beautiful equation in mathematics by many people.

Then, i=\sqrt{-1}=(-1)^{1/2}={(e^{i\pi})}^{1/2}=e^{i\pi /2}

Hence, i^i=e^{i^2\pi /2}=e^{-\pi /2}\approx 0.208

It is really amazing that an imaginary number to the power of an imaginary number gives a real number, isn’t it? Leave your comments below!

Mandelbrot Set

Happy Pi Day!

Did you know, Pi day is also Einstein’s Birthday?

Pi Day is an annual celebration commemorating the mathematical constant π (pi). Pi Day is observed on March 14 (or 3/14 in the U.S. month/day date format), since 3, 1, and 4 are the three most significant digits of π in the decimal form. In 2009, the United States House of Representatives supported the designation of Pi Day. (Wikipedia)

File:Pi pie2.jpg

National Pi Day is actually a U.S. holiday. The House of Representatives passed House Resolution 224 in 2009, designating March 14 as National Pi Day. The resolution “encourages schools and educators to observe the day with appropriate activities that teach students about Pi and engage them about the study of mathematics.” (Source: http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2014/03/13/pi-day-friday-31415/6369483/)

Do you wish Pi day was a national holiday in your country? I sure do! Leave your comments below!

Know the Best Math Institutions around the World

This is a guest post by Maria Mcquire:

Know the Best Math Institutions around the World

There are many academic institutions in the world and rankings on certain faculties help determine the best ones in certain fields. Students who are extremely in mathematics will automatically want to enroll and join universities that are highly ranked as far as mathematics is concerned. Year by year, the rankings are released and can be accessed through the internet and various academic public publications. In addition to stellar performance, there are other factors that are considered during the rankings. This article will mention a few of the top mathematics institutions around the world.

The University of Cambridge

This is not only one of the oldest universities in the United Kingdom but also in the world. Its scholarly achievements have made it popular and famous the world over. Its high performance in mathematics and other fields is accredited to research and well trained and knowledgeable faculty tutors. External examiners and bodies such as the Quality Assurance Agency have all endorsed the performance of the university time and again. The University of Cambridge has vast studying resources such as museums, libraries and other collections. Teaching is done by lecturers who are experts and authorities in their field through seminars and lectures making this university the very top of this list.

The University of Toronto

The University of Toronto is one of the best in the world not only in mathematics but when it comes to research. Its research capabilities in all fields are rivaled only by the prestigious Harvard Universities. One thing that makes this institution great in mathematics is its system of graduate supervision and teaching strengths. The university attracts and enrolls professionals, graduates and undergraduates in the mathematical field and they are all taught by the best researchers. It has both on campus and off campus students. International students get to enjoy learning mathematics and visiting come of Canada’s most breathtaking scenic sites.

The Australian National University

This top ranked university was established back in 1946 and has risen over the years to be the top university in Australia and one of the best in the world. Mathematically speaking, the university’s teaching methods and perfectly teacher to student ratio ensure that the mathematical faculty is of international standards. Campus students do not even have to venture outside as the campus has all the social amenities needed. To make it even better, the university is well networked with some of the world’s leading academic institutions and this means that it has access to the latest information in research.

National University of Singapore

Asia is not left behind as far as mathematical prowess is concerned as the National university of Singapore puts it on the global map. One of the things that make it a top institution is its well-structured exchange programs with other universities that are mathematical giants. For this reason, the university’s best students apply for ESTA VISA in order to join other brilliant mathematical minds in other universities. The university also offers joint degree programs with other leading universities. Due to the university’s strength in research, it is affiliated with global research bodies such as International Alliance of Research Universities.

Author: Maria Mcquire

 

O Level Exam Dates

O Level Exam Dates / Exam Schedule

The schedule for O Level Exam Dates is out: http://www.seab.gov.sg/examTimeTable/2014GCEOExamTimetable.pdf

The dates for Maths exams are:

E Maths Paper 1:
21/10/2014 (Tuesday)
14:30-16:30

E Maths Paper 2:
27/10/2014 (Monday)
08:00-10:30

A Maths Paper 1:
28/10/2014 (Tuesday)
08:00-10:00

A Maths Paper 2:
29/10/2014 (Wednesday)
08:00-10:30

The schedule for the first few weeks seems to be quite tight, for instance on 28/10/2014 students would have to handle A Maths Paper 1, and Chemistry Paper 2. (A Maths Paper 1 would be quite exhausting for students on its own)

After the major papers are over, students will have plenty of time to study for their Science Paper 1 (MCQ), with Biology Paper 1 being one of the last papers on 13/11/2014.

Mystery numbers : 370 & 153

tomcircle's avatarMath Online Tom Circle

Just can’t imagine how strange a plane MH370 could just disappear in the air, no explosion, no terrorists (?) although 2 Iranian passengers with stolen passports from an Italian and an Austrain.

Malaysian Flight: MH 370

Departure : Passengers, among them the majority are 153 Chinese, boarded on 3.7 (March 7) around 11 PM at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, disappeared 1 hour later in the air.

http://www.nst.com.my/latest/font-color-red-missing-mh370-font-timeline-of-flight-mh370-1.507516

Just notice 370 is a strange number:

$latex boxed { (3)^{3} + (7)^{3}+ (0)^{3} = 370}$

A lot of mystery numbers have such behaviors when decompose the digit, then each powered by 3, sum them up, you get back the mystery number itself.

Bible Math: 153 St. Peter Fish
[John 21:3-11]
3  So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
6 He said, ”Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When…

View original post 46 more words

Bayesian Probability Could Help Search MH370 Missing Plane

Math equation could help find missing MH370 plane

Math equation could help find missing Malaysian plane

Source: http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/3/12/mathematical-equationcouldhelpfindmissingmalaysianplane.html

Bayes’ Theorem helped researchers locate Air France Flight 447’s black box in 2011

(Video: How Bayesian Search found the USS Scorpion)

Days after a Malaysian airliner with 239 people aboard went missing en route to Beijing, searchers are still struggling to find any confirmed sign of the plane. Authorities have acknowledged that they didn’t even know what direction it was heading when it disappeared.

As frustrations mount over the failures of the latest technology in the hunt for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, some scientists say an 18th-century mathematical equation – used in a previous search for an Air France jetliner’s black box recorder – could help pinpoint the location of the Malaysian plane.

Indonesian Air Force officers examine a map of the Malacca Strait during a briefing following a search operation for the missing Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777, at Suwondo air base in North Sumatra, Indonesia, on Wednesday.

In 2009, Air France Flight 447 en route to Paris from Rio de Janeiro vanished over the Atlantic Ocean, triggering the most expensive and exhaustive search effort ever conducted for a plane. After two years, officials could only narrow the location of the plane’s black box down to an area the size of Switzerland.

But Flight 447’s black box was found in just five days after authorities contacted scientific consultants who applied a centuries-old equation called Bayes’ Theorem.

Read more at: http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/3/12/mathematical-equationcouldhelpfindmissingmalaysianplane.html

What is Bayes’ Theorem

Mathematically, Bayes’ theorem gives the relationship between the probabilities of A and B, P(A) and P(B), and the conditional probabilities of A given B and B given A, P(A|B) and P(B|A). In its most common form, it is: (Wikipedia)

\displaystyle\boxed{P(A|B)=\frac{P(B|A)P(A)}{P(B)}}

(Check out this post on probability formulas to learn more about Probability)

Proof of Bayes’ theorem (Theorem useful for finding MH370 plane)

The proof of Bayes’ theorem is actually relatively simple, the only requirement is to know the formula for conditional probability (Learnt in H1/H2 Maths): \displaystyle \boxed{P(A|B)=\frac{P(A\cap B)}{P(B)}}

From this, we have \displaystyle \boxed{P(A\cap B)=P(A|B)P(B)}

Similarly, \displaystyle \boxed{P(B\cap A)=P(B|A)P(A)}

But since \displaystyle P(A\cap B)=P(B\cap A), we have P(A|B)P(B)=P(B|A)P(A). Dividing throughout by P(B) gives Bayes’ Formula: \displaystyle\boxed{P(A|B)=\frac{P(B|A)P(A)}{P(B)}}

Sincerely wishing that the MH370 plane will be found soon, and hopefully the passengers are still alive.

Also see: Bayesian search theory (Bayesian search theory is the application of Bayesian statistics to the search for lost objects. It has been used several times to find lost sea vessels, for example the USS Scorpion. It also played a key role in the recovery of the flight recorders in the Air France Flight 447 disaster of 2009.)

Fun Math Equals Better Student Participation

Fun Math Equals Better Student Participation

We are glad to have Mr Henry Thompson write a Math article on our blog. 🙂

Guest post by Henry Thompson of DegreeJungle.com:

One significant obstacle that students face when trying to understanding mathematics is that they devote a great deal of their energy to NOT enjoying themselves. Think about it; reading literature is satisfying, if the story is carefully chosen. Holding a conversation about up-to-date events in History, while studying critical analysis, is enjoyable. But, even for math teachers, working out a complex algebraic equation is simply not exciting.

Students rely on their professors to make mathematics convenient and more effortlessly appreciated. Thus, it makes good sense for educators to insert some sort of enjoyment into their math lessons as frequently as possible; particularly, if the diversion includes a little academic theory.

Today’s professors feel that great math education objectives should not only “address the program of study,” but should also present learners with new ways to discover life through the aperture of mathematics.

For this reason, groundbreaking educators around the globe have altered their approach to math education by leaving behind unimportant and boring learning objectives and implementing applicable and appealing math learning inside the classroom.

Yesteryear’s Math Programs Are Uninspiring

If teachers recall their pedagogic theories from college, they’ll remember that many lesson plans contained mathematical calculations at the hub of their programs.

Additionally, the framework in most old-school math textbooks contains terribly-fashioned word problems. It appears that a few textbook publishers hold fundamental challenges in developing math problems that are linked to real life.

Outdated textbooks only pay attention to computational formats as well, leaving out the reasoning that is produced behind the scenes, which is needed to solve math problems.

The folks at Degree Jungle recently talked to some math educators, who located their teaching credential programs through the infamous search engine, to find out what instructors in the twenty-first century should look for when analyzing conventionally-structured math programs.

A Brand-New Strategy for Teaching

A large number of math educators, today, recommend professors seek math learning-systems that guarantee relevancy, instead of those which put math calculations at the center of study; lessons that contain “real-life” relevance will most certainly motivate students to engage more.

The planet contains plenty of fascinating mathematic applications. A tree’s design is a consequence of fractional limb patterns. A tiny shellfish’s cask coils in an exquisite and attractive mathematical design. Profound mathematics dwells in the massive framework of the cosmos. Moreover, all things that folks explore throughout the day contain some sort of mathematical design.

Easy Tips for Applying Mathematics to the Real-World

Below are a handful of tips that educators can work with to help put real-world situations inside their educational math programs:

  • Instead of a worksheet that explains how to spend money, provide students with some real coins to count, or let them visit to the school store.
  • Cooking incorporates proportions and divisions.

Resources for Improving Engagement

Although adding real-world scenarios to math problems plays a vital part in ensuring an entertaining lesson, it is not the only unique educational approach for teaching math. There are countless mathematical strategies short of “real-life” applicability that are, nevertheless, exceptionally appealing.

  • Projecteuler.net delivers a collection of serious mathematical-CIS problems that will demand much more than just mathematical awareness to solve.
  • Fullerton IV Elementary School’s, Integers Across Disciplines, proposes another strategy. Educators there have developed tasks that force students to visit challenging mathematical problems and to discover that math demands practice and patience.
  • Euler’s graph theory using geography assists students in building mathematical tolerance and in discovering ways to conquer frustration. As an included reward, learners will understand that not all math problems have solutions.

A Mathematician’s Lament: How School Cheats Us Out of Our Most Fascinating and Imaginative Art Form


A Mathematician’s Lament: How School Cheats Us Out of Our Most Fascinating and Imaginative Art Form

A Mathematician’s Lament is a short book on the pedagogics and philosophy of mathematics by Paul Lockhart, originally a research mathematician but for many years a math teacher at a private school. Characterised as a strongly worded opinion piece arguing for an intuitive and heuristic approach to teaching and the importance of mathematics teaching reforms, the book frames learning mathematics as an artistic and imaginative pursuit which is not reflected at all in the way the subject is taught in the American educational system.

The book was developed from a 25-page essay that was written in 2002, originally circulated in typewritten manuscript copies, and subsequently on the Internet.