Statistics question: is it possible to test sets of cumulative data for significant differences in rate? [more inside]
posted by rollick on Nov 4, 2009 - 9 answers

What is the most important scientific question of our time? [more inside]
posted by Demogorgon on Oct 12, 2009 - 44 answers

As a former scientist, help me gain some faith in economics. What were the great successes of economics as a tool for making better decisions in the last 100 years? [more inside]
posted by zaebiz on Jun 23, 2009 - 20 answers

There is the story of the perennial house guest who is either a distinguished mathematician or a physicist. The story goes that if this gentleman comes to stay with a young scientist it means that their future in the field is in for a sudden uptick. His tenure in their home tends to result in a few collaborative papers which in turn leads to notice in the scientific community and a rapid rise in status. Please help me find this professor's name?
posted by cm on Dec 26, 2008 - 14 answers

Applied Math Filter: Help me use math! I'd like to learn more about mathematics and it's practical applications - particularly in Computer Science [more inside]
posted by dcbarker on Aug 1, 2008 - 13 answers

What natural proficiencies would I need / want to have in order to get a degree in computer science? I have some issues with math, and am not sure whether that's a dealbreaker. [more inside]
posted by FortyT-wo on Jul 26, 2008 - 32 answers

My cousin's four year old son is obsessed with things like quarks and infinity. He insists to his mother that infinity is the last number. She isn't so sure, and wants to know more about things like strangeness. I don't want to determine this kid's future, but it seems fun to feed his curiosity. And since my wife's babysitter was Murray Gell-Mann, the responsibility has fallen partially on my shoulders to help answer his questions. What kinds of information can you recommend that I give to his mother so that she, an attorney and not a mathematician, and her son can learn more about this information. In particular, what kinds of books, games, and projects would introduce him to other neat ideas in mathematics and physics?
posted by billtron on Feb 16, 2008 - 27 answers

Science and math educators, K-12 and college! What are your favourite science and math sites that you use for planning lessons and curricula, or for classroom use? And why? Thanks! [more inside]
posted by carter on Nov 16, 2006 - 3 answers

Is there a mathematical formula relating time and memory? [more inside]
posted by bru on Jan 31, 2006 - 16 answers

When reading a book about Newton V's Leibniz recently, it occurred to me that great advances in Science often seem to occur in tandem, ie two unrelated persons or groups often arrive at a breakthrough at roughly the same time. Is this true? Can anyone think of some other examples? Can anyone explain why this may be the case?
posted by kev23f on Nov 19, 2004 - 21 answers