Applying to enter a math PhD program after working in industry. Question about recommendations. [more inside]
posted by lakshmi_mefi on Nov 23, 2009 - 8 answers

I've got these 2 math problems that are driving me crazy. Business optimization. Please help. [more inside]
posted by nomnomnom on Nov 22, 2009 - 16 answers

Any good computer programs for math practice? Impoverished children need your help. [more inside]
posted by Suciu on Nov 19, 2009 - 9 answers

I'm being outsmarted by a personalized license plate (I think)! [more inside]
posted by ailouros08 on Nov 17, 2009 - 15 answers

Hi, I have a specific question about paired t-tests! [more inside]
posted by amethysts on Nov 13, 2009 - 13 answers

Back in middle school and high school we'd play these fun math games where you'd have to draw a chart and figure out who had what. Example, there are five people, joe jon julie mike and amy. Each has a favorite color. Mike doesn't like red, but amy doesn't like blue, etc etc. What are these called and where can I get more? They were a blast!!
posted by hipersons on Nov 10, 2009 - 22 answers

Sys Admin filter: I'm looking for cheap web hosting that is out of the box GMP math friendly. Does anyone have a good recommendation?
posted by wmeredith on Nov 10, 2009 - 1 answer

I've just obtained a BS in Mathematics and am planning to go to grad school, but not before I work for a few years. What industries should I be looking at, and what entry level jobs should I aim for? Details inside. [more inside]
posted by alligatorman on Nov 9, 2009 - 11 answers

I am looking for a math typesetting style guide. By this I don't mean the kind of stylesheet for journal submissions that says "Be sure to use the blah-blah-blah LaTeX package and the XYZ equation environment, and our army of editorial assistants will tie up the loose ends and knock off the rough edges." (Why not? Because my advisor is involved in starting a new journal, and suddenly my labmates and I are that army of editorial assistants.) [more inside]
posted by nebulawindphone on Nov 4, 2009 - 11 answers

How do you animate a parameter in the OSX Grapher utility? [more inside]
posted by b1tr0t on Nov 1, 2009 - 3 answers

Is there an enumeration of complete chess games? [more inside]
posted by Blazecock Pileon on Oct 30, 2009 - 10 answers

I've never seen this mathematical symbol used this way before. Can anyone tell me what it means? [more inside]
posted by mazniak on Oct 25, 2009 - 8 answers

In a talk (at TED) by Brian Greene on string theory he says that there are "there appear to be about 20 numbers that really describe our universe..." He lists a few in his talk, but what are the rest of of those numbers? [more inside]
posted by bigmusic on Oct 23, 2009 - 7 answers

Help me understand homogenous coordinates! [more inside]
posted by tickingclock on Oct 22, 2009 - 14 answers

I want to compare the area of some countries against the area of their people (assuming 1 person takes up 2 square feet). Help me work out the math! [more inside]
posted by ejfox on Oct 22, 2009 - 10 answers

InterviewPrepFilter: I need to brush up on my numerical reasoning. I'm looking for ways to master things like word/story problems (probability, work-rate, distance), and some math review. I have good logic skills, but basic math can be confusing for me, esp. under pressure. Tutoring is not really an option and anything that is cram-friendly is also good. Any books, resources, tips, general guidance from math-y people ?
posted by sidd.darko on Oct 22, 2009 - 4 answers

Why do people hate math and science so much? [more inside]
posted by chicago2penn on Oct 17, 2009 - 129 answers

StatisticAnalysisFilter: I took (pretty close to) scientific observations of the general populace in a neighborhood for a few months (personal project, long story). I measured the number of people who had trait X (or did not have trait X) in two locations, A and B. Now, I want to test the statistical significance of these results. Is the chi-square test sufficient for this? Or is there a better option? [more inside]
posted by MoreForMad on Oct 11, 2009 - 7 answers

What are some fun, quick, quirky, or otherwise compelling ways to memorize the times tables?
posted by serazin on Oct 9, 2009 - 26 answers

Not Homework Filter! Paypal Filter: Paypal charges me 2.9% plus $0.30 for every transaction. Someone needs to pay me X. What is the formula to determine how much they need to send with paypal so I get X and not X - (X * 0.029) - 0.30? [more inside]
posted by arniec on Oct 2, 2009 - 16 answers

This is probably the zillionth question on things to do in New York. But are there any cool things that a complete math nerd can do in the city? I'm more interested in places I can visit than things I could do with people.
posted by Lucubrator on Oct 1, 2009 - 9 answers

How can I visualize the pharmacokinetics of a drug? Is there a way to create a graph of the blood plasma levels of a drug including the fluctuations caused by time of administration? [more inside]
posted by ladypants on Sep 30, 2009 - 10 answers

I have discovered, kind of late in life, that I am pretty good at math. How can I capitalize on this? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 30, 2009 - 14 answers

Would it be considered academic dishonesty to use WolframAlpha when doing a homework assignment in math? [more inside]
posted by Wordwoman on Sep 18, 2009 - 12 answers

Is there an easy-to-use computer program (other than TI Interactive) I can use to draw graphs of functions when I'm writing my Algebra 2 tests? [more inside]
posted by junipero on Sep 15, 2009 - 6 answers

I'd like to develop a better understanding of the physical and mathematical meanings of the Fourier transform. Can anyone suggest a text that describes some of its applications and elaborates on the importance of the transform to science and mathematics? [more inside]
posted by Aanidaani on Sep 13, 2009 - 11 answers

Help me solve this equation! (please) [more inside]
posted by jjbb on Sep 8, 2009 - 25 answers

I have a career, but want to change over and teach high school math here in Denver. I'd have to get hired first to get into the alternative teacher certification program. Will it be impossible to get a math teaching job?
posted by tamaraster on Sep 8, 2009 - 8 answers

∃x∀y∃z[Qx∧(My→Pyx)∧Wz ∧Pzx] ∨ ∃x[Qx∧∀y(My→Pyx)∧∃z(Wz∧Pzx)] ? [more inside]
posted by ed\26h on Sep 6, 2009 - 9 answers

I've annoyed myself by getting stuck attempting to work out a silly maths problem relating to permutations. It's an extension of the 'how many odd socks do I have to pull out of a drawer before I find a pair' problem. Only my theoretical sock-wearer has three legs. And a penchant for odd socks. [more inside]
posted by Beautiful Screaming Lady on Sep 1, 2009 - 7 answers

MathFilter, NumericSimplificationFilter, RecursionFilter, ExcelFilter: Where X_1,X_2,...,X_n can be any number, is there a name, simplified series, or equation to describe: (X_1)+(X_1+X_2)+(X_1+X_2+X_3)+...+(X_1+X_2+...+X_n) ? Seriously seriously insane exel implementation question inside. [more inside]
posted by Nanukthedog on Aug 28, 2009 - 16 answers

How hard are math placement tests for community colleges? [more inside]
posted by greatalleycat on Aug 10, 2009 - 10 answers

I have been attending graduate school in mathematics for the last 3 years, in hopes of getting a Ph.D. It hasn't exactly worked out - I'm taking my Master's and getting out of here. What can I do now? [more inside]
posted by Earl the Polliwog on Aug 9, 2009 - 13 answers

Is it possible to derive a math function based on the shape of the curve plotted (in x&y), along with additional requirements? I flunked calculus... [more inside]
posted by aseno on Jul 24, 2009 - 8 answers

How was I supposed to have solved this math problem? [more inside]
posted by DU on Jul 22, 2009 - 30 answers

Why is this formula for food yield factor the way it is? [more inside]
posted by starvingartist on Jul 14, 2009 - 11 answers

When did "Maths" change to "Math" in American English? Or is it the other way around? [more inside]
posted by fishmasta on Jul 11, 2009 - 39 answers

What are some simple experiments that help explain complicated phenomena? [more inside]
posted by Christ, what an asshole on Jul 6, 2009 - 15 answers

Is it too late for me to get into physics? [more inside]
posted by reenum on Jun 30, 2009 - 15 answers

I’m fascinated by the Mandelbrot Set but I don’t understand the math behind it. Can you help? [more inside]
posted by bondcliff on Jun 24, 2009 - 22 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

I need help with a math problem my sister-in-law has for homework. It involves adding and multiplying roots and it's been long enough since college that I don't quite remember how to do that. The question is: 3sq(5)[2sq(5)-5]. I did it two different ways, getting 15sq(5) once and 9sq(5) the next. Is either right? An answer would be appreciated and, moreover, an explanation as to how to do it. Thanks!
posted by dbooster on Jun 10, 2009 - 7 answers

I want to calculate the mean of a matrix, but I don't want a value, I want co-ordinates. The following math question has lots of terminology that I'm not qualified to use i.e. most of it is wrong. I hope you can see through this and help me. I will be using the words matrix, mean and transformation without fully understanding them. For this I apologize. [more inside]
posted by handybitesize on Jun 8, 2009 - 6 answers

I'm reading Quantum: a Guide for the Perplexed and I'm enjoying the graphics, history and simplification of the math and science used to explain quantum mechanics. But I'm reasonably well versed in math and science - I took a year of college physics, linear algebra, and diff eq about ten years ago. Is there any chance of me learning to understand the equations and papers of Planck and Einstein that are the basis of QM? Are there any good books that could help walk someone like me through this stuff? Or am I stuck as a layperson unless I earn a degree in math or physics?
posted by Grundlebug on May 30, 2009 - 14 answers

Mathematically speaking, what's the optimal amount to keep in an account that earns a high rate below below a certain sum and a very low one above it? [more inside]
posted by electric_counterpoint on May 26, 2009 - 6 answers

What the best way to put two-coordinate graphs in a LaTex document? [more inside]
posted by mai on May 21, 2009 - 7 answers

Hi everymathperson! I guess I'll just jump right in: What is the radius of a circle with a subtended theta angle of 60 degrees and an arc length of 10? [more inside]
posted by Benzle on May 18, 2009 - 12 answers

I've seen people compute complex arithmetic off the top of their head. How do they do it? [more inside]
posted by Christ, what an asshole on Apr 30, 2009 - 13 answers

I need a free and robust math worksheet generator, and don't care whether or not it's a script, web-based, or software. [more inside]
posted by booksherpa on Apr 28, 2009 - 3 answers

I work for a company that sells professional sports souvenirs (e.g. Lakers, Dodgers, Raiders products). I'm trying to come up with a relatively simple formula to help me compute minimum reorder levels for each product/team. [more inside]
posted by edjusted on Apr 27, 2009 - 8 answers