Tagged Questions
0
votes
0answers
28 views
How do you calculate the angle of deflection of a plumb line towards a mountain?
How do you calculate the angle of deflection of plumb line being pulled down by the entire mass of earth, 5.89 x 10^24 kg and being pulled horizontally by the entire mass of mount everest, 6.399 x ...
23
votes
1answer
495 views
About Euclid's Elements and modern video games
I just watched this video about Euclid's treatise the Elements. I got introduced to the postulates and a couple of propositions of book I. I really liked this video, I'm not sure if this is because of ...
1
vote
1answer
84 views
Circular motion “calculate the angle”
I have a equation i need to find out how they hang together.
angel = (velocity * time) - (acceleration * time * time / 2)
I know circumference of a circle:
...
2
votes
5answers
3k views
Geometry triangle question
In the figure below, AB=BC=CD. If the area of triangle CDE is 42, what is the area of triangle ADG?
I think triangles are similar. Are there any properties of similar triangles regarding their area. ...
10
votes
2answers
265 views
Elementary Geometry Nomenclature: why so bad?
A long-ish wall of text, and I apologize.
Some background: when I was a first-year university student, my chemistry professor was lecturing and was trying to find the word to describe a shape. A ...
17
votes
6answers
774 views
I'm teaching a college geometry course. What should I cover?
I've been asked to teach "Foundations of Geometry" at the University of South Carolina. Apparently, professors in the past have all done very different things, and I have a lot of choice in the ...
5
votes
2answers
342 views
Self-Teaching: Is Geometry the Nexus of all Mathematics?
Necessary prologue: I'd really like to become more fluent in the language of mathematics. I don't have a schedule that permits me taking a class and any on-line tutors that I find seem relatively ...
1
vote
3answers
370 views
Distance from a point to a line in vector geometry - real world applications?
In vector geometry it is a standard example how to calculate the distance between a point and a line in space. However are there any interesting real world applications of this. I.e. where one wants ...
79
votes
6answers
59k views
How many sides does a circle have?
My son is in 2nd grade. His math teacher gave the class a quiz, and one question was this:
If a triangle has 3 sides, and a rectangle has 4 sides,
how many sides does a circle have?
My first ...
20
votes
8answers
4k views
What is the (mathematical) point of geometric constructions?
The ancient discipline of construction by straightedge and compass is both fascinating and entertaining. But what is its significance in a mathematical sense? It is still taught in high school ...
31
votes
8answers
6k views
What is the meaning of the third derivative of a function at a point
What is the geometric, physical or other meaning of the third derivative of a function at a point?
(Originally asked on MO by AJAY)
If you have interesting things to say about the meaning of the ...
