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The normal distribution. |
1997-03-21 |
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From Donna D.Hall: I am looking for a proof for the normal distribution. I suppose "proof" was not a good choice of words. What I am looking for is a way to "derive" the normal distribution in simple terms so that the most average teenager can see the logic. Can you help me? Answered by Harley Weston. |
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Why QUADratic? |
1997-03-19 |
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From Paula Miller: A student today asked me why a quadratic, with highest power of degree 2, was called a QUADratic. We're awaiting the answer with baited breath! :) Answered by Chris Fisher and Walter Whiteley. |
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Mathematical Induction and the Derivative |
1997-03-18 |
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From Shuling Chong: "Obtain a formula for the nth derivative of the product of two functions, and prove the formula by induction on n." Any educated tries are appreciated. Answered by Penny Nom. |
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A Presidential Proof |
1997-03-18 |
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From Greg Smith: Which US president developed a proof for the Pythagorean Theorem? Where can a copy of the proof be located? Answered by Chris Fisher and Harley Weston. |
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The Real Pythagoras |
1997-03-16 |
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From Michael Gaskin: I am wondering if you have any information about Pythagoras and his accounts in math. Answered by Chris Fisher. |
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Ajax, Beverley, Canton and Dilltown |
1997-03-14 |
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From S. Johnson: The following towns are placed on a coordinate system. Ajax at (-x,z), Dilltown at (-10,0), Canton at (0,0) and Beverly at (0,10). The roads from Beverly to Canton and from Canton to Dilltown are perpendiculat to each other and are each 10 miles in length. A car traveling at all times at a constant rate, would take 30 minutes to travel straight from Ajax to Canton, 35 minutes to travel from Ajax to Canton via Beverly, and 40 minutes to travel from Ajax to Canton via Dilltown. What is the constant rate of the car, to the nearest tenth of a mile per hour. Answered by Chris Fisher and Harley Weston. |
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Names of the Polygons |
1997-03-04 |
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From Manuel: What do you call a 13 sided polygon? Is there a list of the different names? Answered by Walter Whiteley and Harley Weston. |
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0! |
1997-03-02 |
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From Donna D. Hall: I am looking for a quick and easy explanation as to why 0! is 1. Answered by Walter Whiteley and Denis Hanson. |
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Area Between Two Sectors |
1997-03-02 |
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From Rebecca Henry: Points A,B,C,D,E,F are equally spaced on a unit circle. Arc CGE has a center A. Find the number of square units of area in the shaded region. Answered by Walter Whiteley. |
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A Functional Equation. |
1997-02-26 |
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From Ronald Lui: Find all functions f:S --> S statisfying the two conditions: 1)f(x+f(y)+xf(y))=y+f(x)+yf(x) for all x and y in S 2)f(x)/x is strictly increasing on each of the interval -1 Answered by Saroop Kaul and Chris Fisher. |
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Equivalent Expressions |
1997-02-26 |
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From Karyn Jones: Josie says that s=n/(n+1) and s/(1-s)=n are two ways to write the same formula. Describe whether or not you agree with Joise. Explain how you made your decision. Answered by Walter Whiteley and Penny Nom. |
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Some Circle Questions. |
1997-02-25 |
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From Staci Vawser: A circle with a radius of 10m is drawn. A chord is drawn across the circle. How is the area that is formed between the chord and the arc calculated? Answered by Harley Weston. |
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Triangles, The Pythagorean Theorem and Pizzas. |
1997-02-23 |
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From Sherryle Mathis: I am a graduating senior presently teaching geometry as part of my student teaching. I will do my CUP on Right Triangles and Pythagorean theorem. I am looking for a fun activity as part of my unit plan. Answered by Walter Whiteley. |
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Division by zero |
1997-02-14 |
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From Linda Hood: I am a college student and have been asked to explain and figure out why we can't divide by zero. Answered by Chris Fisher. |
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When is ( n^3+1)/(mn-1) an integer? |
1997-02-11 |
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From Ronald Lui: Determine all ordered pairs (m,n) of positive integers such that ( n^3+1)/(mn-1)is an integer. Answered by Richard McIntosh. |
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