(October 18, 2022 at 10:23 am)Anomalocaris Wrote: People who can’t do math but appreciates the power and elegance of math is just as good.

While a certain amount of appreciation is possible, I think great appreciation of math requires an understanding of math. Just as knowledge of music deepens appreciation of it, so it is with math.

Of course, full measure of true appreciation for most things requires considerable depth of direct involvement and practice.   However, a mere detached appreciation that both provides and derived from a reasonable perspective on how the thing relates to the world and society in general seems enough to me to prevent non-participation from becoming a character flaw.

(October 18, 2022 at 6:19 pm)Anomalocaris Wrote: Of course, full measure of true appreciation for most things requires considerable depth of direct involvement and practice.   However, a mere detached appreciation that both provides and derived from a reasonable perspective on how the thing relates to the world and society in general seems enough to me to prevent non-participation from becoming a character flaw.

That’s reasonable. For example, I appreciate farming, but have no desire to involve myself in it.

Boru

When I learned calculus I was upset than no one had taught me at least what a derivative was sooner, so dang useful!

I don't have an opinion on them.

(October 16, 2022 at 2:17 pm)polymath257 Wrote: But it is also true that for many people the amount of time spent in learning the language of math will have minimal reward. Anything through algebra is simply learning the alphabet. Calculus is basic reading. It is only much later that you get to good literature and poetry.

(December 17, 2022 at 12:10 pm)LinuxGal Wrote:

(October 16, 2022 at 2:17 pm)polymath257 Wrote: But it is also true that for many people the amount of time spent in learning the language of math will have minimal reward. Anything through algebra is simply learning the alphabet. Calculus is basic reading. It is only much later that you get to good literature and poetry.

Why would anyone have a negative number as a PIN? I think this guy made a mistake in his calculation.

All I have in my head now is Culture Club.

(December 17, 2022 at 8:14 pm)polymath257 Wrote: Why would anyone have a negative number as a PIN? I think this guy made a mistake in his calculation.

D'oh!

Most ATM pins are 4 digits, aren't they?