23 Jun
2004
23 Jun
'04
10:19 a.m.
In my day, we were to supply our own scratch paper for
standardized tests,
including graph paper. We were not allowed to bring in sliderules,
but there was no rule against making one during the test!
When I did O-level maths <mumble> years ago, we couldn't use a calculator
or slide rule for one of the papers. But we were allowed to take in a
ruler. I asked if I could take in _2_ rulers. They said 'sure'. I then
showed said teacher how to use 2 rulers to make an adding device (a slide
rule with linear scales, of course). The look on the teacher's face was
priceless.
How many current students can find a square root
without a sqrt or x^y key
on a calculator?
I've had many an argument with my father over this. He insists on using
the binomial expansion. I prefer the Newton iteration, which converges
very quickly
[ To find sqrt(A)
Set X(0) = A/2 (or some other suitable initial guess)
Repeat
X(N+1) = ( (A/X(N)) + X(N) ) / 2
Unti X(N) and X(N+1) are sufficiently close
Return X(N+1)
]
How many even know the square root of 2 and 3?
_Nobodu_ knows those values, since they're irrational. 1.4142 and 1.732
seem to be useable approximations (in decimal!) for most work :-)
I even get some who have been TAUGHT that pi is EXACTLY 22/7.
Eeek!. I prefer 355/113, but I do know that's an approximation.
> industry on the surface of things think they
want. I do wonder quite
> where things will be in ten years when there's almost nobody left who
> can actually think for themselves though...
I hope to still be alive in 10 years time (unless I connect myself
accidentally to the wrong points in an SMPSU or something !), and I hope
to still be thinking.
-tony