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

While at Target this evening, I was shopping for a birthday present for a nephew, there were two 10/11 year olds talking about and trading these marble like toys. When they set them down, they "transformed" into something else, there parents were apparently there to buy them but Target was sold out. I heard them talking but was busy with my own kids and forgot to check out the aisle or talk to the people. I'm usually pretty in touch with toys and such, but I have no idea what these were. Any one know?
posted by TuxHeDoh on Sep 19, 2008 - 5 answers

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

computer vision: i need an algorithm to extract statistics about the diameters (in pixels) of some roughly-circular objects from an image file. [more inside]
posted by sergeant sandwich on May 20, 2006 - 15 answers