Application of algebra

Knowing trig will help you a lot more Iggy,

Understanding the power of a right triangle, and learning a few multipliers derived from some common angles like the 30, 45 and 60 degrees will make you look like a magician.

--.- Dave (Who's CFI is a math whizz too and makes me calc trig in my head for course changes on the "fly" so to speak)

I totally agree with you.

I got asked recently to modify a fixed length piece of kit so it was height adjustable, one piece sliding inside the other, and knew it was a use for simultaneous equations to work out the part lengths. I drew the item full height with all the parts and worked out the equations but had to think about it for about 15 minutes as I hadn't had a need for them in over 15 years. Shame since graduating with a Mech Eng degree and going into software I have forgotten most of the engineering mathematics I had learned.

You support Al-Gebra?

DHS/CIA need to be notified!

(not that you'll see this...)

Dave

"Ignoramus27711" wrote: (clip) That was actually an algebra equation (clip) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Iggy, I hate to burst your bubble, but that problem can be solved with (gasp) ARITHMETIC. :-)

Try calculating the volume of horizontally mounted cylindrical tank with domed hemispherical ends as a function of the height of the liquid so that you can devise your own stab stick.

Stu

You mean like the DIPSTICK program on my web page?

Regards, Marv

Home Shop Freeware - Tools for People Who Build Things

Do you remember

A^2 + B^2 = C^2

Pick any two and calculate the third. I used to use it all the time in my dad's hardware store to calculate how much guy wire somebody needed to support an antenna tower. Same principle, different application.

Yes. It is good to remember some common multipliers, like for 45 degrees.

Marv, I'm suprised to see you here. I thought you only inhabited the modelenginemachining BB. :-) ...lew...

No, Lew, like the Shadow, I lurk in lots of places.

But, being uninterested in politics and guns, I seldom contribute here.

Regards, Marv

Home Shop Freeware - Tools for People Who Build Things

Okay, so you found something where some higher mathematics actually was worth knowing. I've never had any situation where higher mathematics was needed. I'll wager that the vast majority of people will agree that they have never used it either. I hear that in China and some other countries they make students take calculus every year in high school. So I'm wondering exactly what are all these people going to use this mathematics for once they get out in the real world. Engineers and a few other occupations excepted, I can't see what teaching that kind of math would be good for since over 95% of occupations don't use it for anything.

Hawke

Try metalworking.

I use higher mathematics (partial diff. equation numerical methods etc) at work and I am very nicely paid for it, plus it is fun.

I am not a math whiz and I never learned beyond regular college level mathematical physics program.

When I took night classes in Calculus and EE the professors were much more practical than the ones I had back in college. One suggested memorizing a few logarithms, square roots and reciprocals to aid in mental math. I did, and found I could solve a lot of problems faster in my head than the engineer could with a calculator. The square roots give you triangles and the reciprocals turn division into easier multiplication. Logarithms were vital in microwave work. I've read that Rommel memorized them to help with field engineering problems.

I get lost when the math ceases to be intuitive, though, like Taylor series and s-plane transformations, so I never would have made it to an EE or ME degree. But I like working with my hands and a lab tech doesn't have to write memos or stay awake through meetings.

Jim Wilkins

In the early 1960s south Korea was one of the poorest places on earth.

I was told this story. One of our trucks broke down near a jr. high school and some of the kids came over to check it out. The GIs let them sit in the driver's seat and showed them their guns.

A couple kids asked the GIs to help them with their homework which was calculus. They might have thought our guys couldn't handle it. No problem. We had a math major who ended up in the army and he was way ahead of them. About 16% of our company were Korean linguists so that gave us a secret advantage too.

Since then, Korea has made fantastic progress and is on the way up in the fast lane. Best Regards, Charlie

I never did that but I did construct various tables that would give an idea of length remaining of various rolled goods. It was rather exciting to see how the terms reduced.

Wes

And don't forget the lesson about the constipated mathematician who worked it out with a pencil !!

(snicker)

Nope -- it was "with a slide rule".

Or "with logs".

Enjoy, DoN.

Noah released all the animals in the Ark, told them to go forth and multiply.

After all the critters were gone, he found two tiny little snakes crawling around in the bilges.

"I thought I told you guys to go forth and multiply", cried Noah.

"We can't", they replied, "We're Adders".

(drummer does a rim shot)

So, educated man that he was, Noah took the Adders into the galley and tossed them on the table.

Because, as every schoolboy should know, ddders can multiply on a log table...

(Big Groan!)