Yes, title, indeed there is a Pi day, and unless I’m mistaken it’s also today. Pi is a pretty interesting number that’s worth going over in a post so I thought I’d flesh the idea out a little here. So go grab 3.1415926… slices of pie and I’ll get you up to speed on a number that’s both irrational and ubiquitous (it’s a bit like UFO and ghost sighting... »
In which a gun recoils, a crappy diagram is drawn, and kinetic energy is differentiated. Last week I explained the basics of conservation of momentum. Today we’ll do a problem to demonstrate this basic principle. I know you’re excited, so let’s get to it. We know that if a system has no external forces, momentum in the system is conserved (OK, it’s more nuanced than that, ... »
A most interesting study group is taking place at WITS University this week. Mathematicians will attempt to find a solution to the problem of Rhino poaching. International mathematicians and graduate students will converge at Wits University next week to help solve various industry problems during the 2013 Mathematics in Industry Study Group (MISGSA) Workshop. With more than 600 rhinos poached in ... »
In which balls are thrown, calculations are made, and further explanation is required. Last time on The Physics Philes, we started discussing momentum and impulse. This week we’ll do an example problem, but before we begin I need to add a bit of information. As I was preparing for this week’s post, I realized that I didn’t provide the definition of impulse, which is kinda necessa... »
In which discontinuity is removed, x-intercepts are determined, and physics is promised. Happy New Year’s Eve, and I hope you all had a wonderful Newton-mas! Thanks for tolerating my half-assed post from last week. But I’m back and better than (actually, probably the same as) ever! Today I’m going to finish the discussion of continuity, as well as the Intermediate Value Theorem. »
Happy Newton-mas Eve, y’all! I had fully intended to write a Physics Philes post this week. Unfortunately, I had more travel time than I expected, and I couldn’t get it done. (I did study, though. I have so many questions about removable and nonremovable discontinuity that I need you to answer!) In lieu of an actual post, I’ll leave you with the delightful Vi Hart. You can spend ... »
In which conditions are met, a new concept is defined, and the author begs to be corrected. After several weeks of limits, it’s finally time to move on. But for right now, it’s time for a new concept: continuity. »
In which limits is finished, special theorems are listed, and a slight mathematical detour is taken. It’s time! It’s time, ladies and gentleman, for me to finally – FINALLY – finish up the two chapters on limits. Two chapters that I wanted to take two posts has taken four, but there you have it. It’s time to finish up this topic. Last week I attempted to explain limit... »
