Comments for thnik again!

Comment on Happy New Year! by Jan Nordgreen

Jan Nordgreen — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 22:43:23 +0000

And one may use Mathematika:
http://blog.wolfram.com/2012/02/02/happy-109876-54321/

Comment on Happy New Year! by Richard Sabey

Richard Sabey — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 10:04:10 +0000

Using just 987654321:
2012 = 9*8*7*(6-5)*4 -3-2+1

Some delights for future years:
2013 = (65-4)*(32+1)
2015 = 8*(7+6+5)*(4+3)*2 – 1
2016 = (7+6-5)*4*3*21
2017 = 8*(7+6+5)*(4+3)*2 + 1

Comment on Happy New Year! by Richard Sabey

Richard Sabey — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 09:37:44 +0000

2012 = [ (1+0+9)+(8+7)*(6+5)*4 ] * 3 + 2*1
2013 = [ (1+0+9)+(8+7)*(6+5)*4 ] * 3 + 2 + 1
2014 = {(1+0+9)*[(8+7+6)*5-4] – 3} *2*1
2015 = (1+0+9+8)*7*(6+5+4+3-2) – 1
2016 = (1+0+9+8)*7*(6+5+4+3-2)*1
2017 = (1+0+9+8)*7*(6+5+4+3-2) + 1

Found using a program I’d already written, to solve problems just like this one. The first operation it tries is addition, hence the preference for expressions that start with a chain of additions of single-digit numbers.

Comment on Quote by Larry Seger

Larry Seger — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:51:43 +0000

Lets put the 10 commandments and Calvin and Hobbes together and see what we get
http://www.grymonpre.com/math/chmath.htm

Comment on Is 1 a prime number? by Richard Sabey

Richard Sabey — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 16:29:47 +0000

1 is not a prime. Why? Because this follows from the definition of “prime”. Why not define “prime” in a way that makes 1 a prime? Because then you lose the fundamental theorem of arithmetic.

Comment on Is 1 a prime number? by Jan Nordgreen

Jan Nordgreen — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 08:38:19 +0000

Why do you ask?

Comment on Is 1 a prime number? by Nick Brown

Nick Brown — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 16:29:11 +0000

Why do you want to know?

Comment on Tree sap, specific gravity, a siphon, a hot flame, and maple syrup. by florian Wisniewski

florian Wisniewski — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:28:26 +0000

I would like to know if there is data available that correlates the specific gravity of the collected sap with the concentration of sugars in it and potential yield?

Comment on A timely question by Richard Sabey

Richard Sabey — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 16:21:01 +0000

>Some months have 31 daysHow many have 28<

Infinitely many.

Comment on Nobel Prize in Mathematics by John S.

John S. — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 13:17:48 +0000

While working on this one I decided I no longer care to take the time to work out complicated algebra problems! It’s like doing long division with pencil and paper. I know I could do it if I had to, but what’s the point when I have a nice calculator on my phone? So I used Mathematica.

Now suppose you’re sitting in an equilateral triangle, and the distances to the corners are 2, 3 and 4. How long is the side of the triangle? Feel free to work it out with pencil and paper.