Why are sine waves considered "pure" tones? Why do we consider sinusoids the building blocks of periodic functions? [more inside]
posted by phrontist on Jun 28, 2008 - 35 answers

I heard about a book that covered philosophical questions at the core of mathematics. This interests me, but I'm really interested because if I remember correctly it used understanding of euler's identity as an example. What was this book?
posted by phrontist on Jan 6, 2008 - 9 answers

I remember reading an anecdote about Feynman, written by Feynman either in Surely, You're Joking or What Do You Care What Other People Think. He was describing how in his undergraduate years people were really impressed by his ability to do integrals, all because he knew this integration technique that wasn't taught very often. What was that technique?
posted by phrontist on Dec 4, 2006 - 10 answers

I enjoy mathematics, and I'd imagine that on these internets there are many others who are similarly inclined. Why then, am I unable to find a good "Problem of the Day" site? [mi] [more inside]
posted by phrontist on Nov 20, 2004 - 8 answers