One for the math nerds.

[Doc]

It's way over my head.

But some of you might get it. It was a good read even if you don't understand it completely.

[Griselda]

It's way over my head.

But some of you might get it. It was a good read even if you don't understand it completely.
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Have you ever considered starting a blog?

[jahcs]

That type of thing makes me wonder why we've settled on a base 10 numbering system for most types of things and if we were using, say a base 8, as our default if the explainable parts of our world would still be thought of in the same way.

[Doc]

Have you ever considered starting a blog?
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No. I am an old fart. I like forums and such. Don't need a newfangled blog thingamajigger.

[--Pete]

Hi,

That type of thing makes me wonder why we've settled on a base 10 numbering system for most types of things . . .
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Count your fingers.

. . . and if we were using, say a base 8, as our default if the explainable parts of our world would still be thought of in the same way.

No. All bases are isomorphic. Anything done in one can be done in any other. Sometimes a given base is more useful because of the underlying problem (e.g., binary for logic) but most of the time it really doesn't matter. For example, pi is transcendental in all bases (except, of course, base pi ;) ).

--Pete

[Occhidiangela]

For example, pi is transcendental in all bases (except, of course, base pi ;) ).

--Pete
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I suspect that base pi was not adopted due to the risks of circular logic in many of the proofs. ;) That, and the unhealthy relationship between base pi and base eight. :lol:

Occhi

There's a special level of hell for people who tell groaner puns, and people who talk in the theater."

~From The Diary of Sheppard Book~

[Mithrandir]

This reminds me of the movie Pi - searching for a number/relationship that will decipher the pattern inherent in the universe. Very heady stuff.

I strongly recommend Pi for those that haven't seen it. It's from Darren Aronofsky and shares much of the same jarring visual style that he used in Requiem for a Dream.

In addition to the research in the above article, there's of course also Fibonocci Numbers which are seen all throughout nature. There is also a lot of cool research going on right now with fractals and how organisms actually grow into such predefined forms utilizing such minimal amounts of data (i.e. DNA). The human mind attempting to rationalize the chaotic universe all around it is an amazing thing.

[Xukuth]

God, I hated doing Riemann sums.

[Griselda]

No. I am an old fart. I like forums and such. Don't need a newfangled blog thingamajigger.
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What I mean is that usually when people want to be part of a discussion where many people contribute topics of discussion, they visit a forum. When people want to be in charge of most or all of the topics of discussion, they have a blog.

[jahcs]

Hi,

Count your fingers.
No.  All bases are isomorphic.  Anything done in one can be done in any other.  Sometimes a given base is more useful because of the underlying problem (e.g., binary for logic) but most of the time it really doesn't matter.  For example, pi is transcendental in all bases (except, of course, base pi ;) ).

--Pete
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Heh, I misspoke there, but nice zinger, Pete :blush: . I deserved that for trying to post on a Monday when I am so preoccuopied.

Mithrandir has more of what I was trying to say with how we attempt to find patterns and explain everything in the Universe. If we weren't using a base 10 system would we still be able to force so many things into nice neat patterns that all seem to relate to each other. (We live in a complex system where nearly everything is related -or we want it to be, so I presume we would.)

P.S. Since there is no "9" in base 8 what would Pi look like?

And I probably just made all the math gurus pull their hair out.

EDIT: Just deleting a recalcitrant "r."

[Occhidiangela]

And I probably just made all the math gurus pull their hair out.

EDIT: Just deleting a recalcitrant "r."
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I just noted the quote in your sig.

If we ever meet IRL, the first round is on me. :)

Occhi

[Vandiablo]

P.S.  Since there is no "9" in base 8 what would Pi look like?

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3.110375524210264302

..or ... did I miss a second pun??

[Occhidiangela]

3.110375524210264302

..or ... did I miss a second pun??
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No, but I smell a rat.

But the important role played by the number 42 has recently persuaded even the deepest skeptics that the subatomic world might hold the key to one of the greatest unsolved problems in mathematics.

Are we being presented with a Pre April Fool's joke, or was Douglass Adams accidentally correct?

Occhi

[Thecla]

Though it doesn't work for base 10, there is an exact formula for the digits of pi in heaxadecimal bases, like 16: see, for example:

http://www.sciencenews.org/pages/sn_arc98/...98/mathland.htm

[Occhidiangela]

Though it doesn't work for base 10, there is an exact formula for the digits of pi in heaxadecimal bases, like 16: see, for example:

http://www.sciencenews.org/pages/sn_arc98/...98/mathland.htm
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From the article:

Nonetheless, there's no evidence yet that an efficient algorithm for computing isolated decimal digits of pi doesn't exist.

Other than the appaarent fact that no one has discovered it yet, this most Omnipotent algorithm? The Primal algorithm, perhaps? ;)

Occhi

[DeeBye]

What I mean is that usually when people want to be part of a discussion where many people contribute topics of discussion, they visit a forum.  When people want to be in charge of most or all of the topics of discussion, they have a blog.
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I think what Griselda is too polite to say is that you are posting way too many topics.

[Occhidiangela]

I think what Griselda is too polite to say is that you are posting way too many topics.
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My take on it: the nicest way anyone has ever called someone else a troll.

Gris is a class act, whether I guessed that right or not.

Occhi

[SwissMercenary]

Other than the appaarent fact that no one has discovered it yet, this most Omnipotent algorithm?  The Primal algorithm, perhaps?    ;)

Which, is unfortunately, not good enough for a proof. ;) It may very well be an unprovable (And naturally, undisprovable) claim, for all we know.

[eppie]

I think what Griselda is too polite to say is that you are posting way too many topics.
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I would say "a lot" instead of "way too many". I am actually not sure who posts more topics deebye. You or Doc. :D

But still, when people react on these topics, it means that they are worth posting...or not?

eppie

[Crusader]

It's way over my head.

But some of you might get it. It was a good read even if you don't understand it completely.
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Fascinating. This may prove to become an important breakthrough in quantum mechanics if it can be applied to determining the position of subatomic particles in relation to each other at any given moment of time (something that has been eluding mankind up to this point). Also, a formula to determine ALL primes is comething methematicians have dreamed off for ages. Physics & maths rejoice!