Best of Math — November 2024

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    Article
    Avatar of lobstersLobsters·2y

    Turing kicked us out of Heaven

    The post discusses the significance of the halting problem, an undecidable problem in computer science which states that no algorithm can determine if an arbitrary program with arbitrary input will halt. It explores the implications of this problem on mathematics and programming, illustrating that many long-standing mathematical problems could be solved and programming tasks simplified if the halting problem were solvable. However, due to its undecidability, such advancements remain impossible. Various real-world examples and explanations emphasize the profound impact of this theoretical limitation.

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    Video
    Avatar of 3blue1brown3Blue1Brown·1y

    A bizarre probability fact

    This post discusses a surprising probability fact: sampling two random numbers between 0 and 1 and taking their maximum results in the same biased random number distribution as taking the square root of one of those numbers. By visualizing these values on a coordinate system, it becomes clear that both processes result in an identical cumulative distribution function.

  3. 3
    Article
    Avatar of watercoolerWatercooler·1y

    It’s math o’ clock!

    A math meme humorously challenges readers to solve the equation 230 - 220 * 0.5, emphasizing the importance of order of operations. The unexpected answer is 5.

  4. 4
    Article
    Avatar of taiTowards AI·1y

    Standard Deviation For Dummies

    Standard deviation measures the amount of variation in a dataset, and is closely related to variance. Variance shows how different the items in a group are, while standard deviation provides this in an easily interpretable unit. Understanding these concepts involves calculating the variance and then taking its square root to find the standard deviation. In a normal distribution, most values fall within a certain range around the mean, making it a critical tool for data analysis.

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    Video
    Avatar of 3blue1brown3Blue1Brown·1y

    Newton’s Fractal is beautiful

    Newton's fractal, a beautiful and infinitely detailed pattern, emerges from the application of Newton's method, a powerful tool in calculus for finding approximate solutions to equations. This fractal is created by applying Newton's method to complex numbers, resulting in a mesmerizing and colorful visualization. Each point is iteratively adjusted based on a formula, leading it closer to a solution, and the resulting patterns demonstrate the intricate beauty of mathematical processes.

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    Article
    Avatar of lpythonLearn Python·1y

    Eval .. someth new for me

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    Article
    Avatar of kirupaKirupa·2y

    Finding Prime Numbers Using a Sieve of Eratosthenes

    The Sieve of Eratosthenes is a highly efficient algorithm for finding all prime numbers up to a specified limit. It works by iteratively marking the multiples of each prime number starting from 2. This method quickly eliminates composite numbers and retains prime numbers. The algorithm can be easily implemented in various programming languages, such as JavaScript, and is crucial for tasks in modern cryptography and large number testing.

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