Comments on: 3 Solved Math Mysteries (and 2 That Still Plague Us)

By: devanshu

devanshu — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:17:43 +0000

it is not impossible and if someone tries it can be done

By: Rafael

Rafael — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 18:37:38 +0000

You should read “The Man Who Counted: A Collection of Mathematical Adventures”.

By: Kaz Maslanka

Kaz Maslanka — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:25:56 +0000

Joe,
I am quite surprised no comments were made about beauty. These problems are about aesthetics/beauty and need not be used for anything. What is the use of a poem, a song, a painting? What is the use of a magician? By playing with these problems we point at the beauty in the structure of our minds. Mathematics like art has its own set of aesthetics.
Cheers,
Kaz

By: Vince

Vince — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:46:34 +0000

one time I calculated my tax obligation to the State of North Carolina to within 3 dollars without the aid of the workbook. Maybe I missed my calling?

By: fpfuerst

fpfuerst — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 20:04:02 +0000

Much of the most advance math is solving problems that do not YET have any practical application. But nuclear physics (which brought us the atomic bomb, nuclear energy, semiconductors, etc) is continually utilizing new mathematical techniques in the frontiers of its theory. The secrets to fusion power, and who know what else, probably are being unknowingly unlocked by mathematicians right now.

By: slider

slider — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 23:36:05 +0000

For those suggesting that 1 is an odd perfect number, note that 1 has no proper divisors. That’s an easy way to see that 1 doesn’t work.

By: aschouman

aschouman — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:05:32 +0000

one is and odd perfect numer. it is divisible by one and only one therefore 1+0=1.

By: aschouman

aschouman — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:04:31 +0000

umm.. there is kind of a reeeaally simple odd perfect number. that would be one. one is divisible by one and that is it. 1+(since there are no other dividers) zero=one. it took scientist a long time to figure that out?!?

By: SteveO

SteveO — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:51:41 +0000

Good comments. Well understood that mathematics and the research of these types of things are hugely beneficial. Does anyone know of any specific invention or improvement that came from what appears to be a huge amount of brainpower and time focused on finding things out about prime numbers. I have a hard time getting my thoughts around beneficial outcomes of prime number research.

By: roi_ratt

roi_ratt — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:42:46 +0000

Holy-moly, now I remember why I hated math. It creates actual, physical pain inside of my head.