Use it or Lose it

[us3rnotfound]

Depends. My job as an IT flunkie pretty much involves rebooting computers & googling for answers. There's just no way you can store all of the data you need since you have to deal with a different virus every day, so it's more about learning how to learn, being confident in your ability to find a solution even if it takes awhile, etc.

Very much this. After college (bsee) I actually learned this. Late learner I guess.

 

[MongGrel]

I've forgotten more math than I ever thought I'd know.

Anyone else feel the same?

To illustrate this point, imagine the following.

Someone has a gun to your head and places before you a 3x3 matrix of integer values.

They say, "Find the eigenvalue in the next 10 hours or die."

How do you fare?

I'd be more thinking of ways to take his gun, personally.

 

[OutHouse]

never seen this so im dead.

 

[sandorski]

I'd stick my tongue into the barrel, force the guy to pull the trigger, resulting in the hammer and other parts of the gun around it to explode towards the gun holder shattering his hand, forearm, and possibly penetrating other parts of the body. Then I'll enter the Stance of Dominance and say, "Until you find the Eigenvalue, I will not call for medical help".

 

[z0mb13]

who needs math?

I will just assert my stance of dominance

 

[Miramonti]

First base.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Don't you basically just have to calculate the determinant?

I'd have to briefly look up how the signs are ordered for a 3x3 determinant, and then check that that's what I actually need. But assuming I have my linear algebra books or some other reference handy, I should be done in around 5-10 minutes, unless the integer values exceed what my calculator can deal with.

You lost me at determinant. I think that's part of a fraction right? The top part, or is it the lower part?

Just shoot me now.

 

[SSSnail]

Wait, wait, before I can properly answer this question, I need to know one variable - am I getting a BJ by a hot chic for an hour while trying to solve this problem? A la Swordfish.

Also, do I still have access to my smart phone with data service?

These are very important questions one must know before answering these kind of questions.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

I've forgotten more math than I ever thought I'd know.

Anyone else feel the same?

To illustrate this point, imagine the following.

Someone has a gun to your head and places before you a 3x3 matrix of integer values.

They say, "Find the eigenvalue in the next 10 hours or die."

How do you fare?

I think I'd actually be able to do it. I loved linear algebra. I am weird. Granted I only graduated from college 2 years ago.

 

[alkemyst]

Matrix Theory FTMFW!

 

[compcons]

I got my BS in chemistry in 1995 and now I am a software sales engineer. I most definitely have forgotten more math (and physics and chemistry) than most people will ever learn in their lives. The upside is that my compensation has grown proportionally to my math knowledge loss.

 

[sandorski]

I got my BS in chemistry in 1995 and now I am a software sales engineer. I most definitely have forgotten more math (and physics and chemistry) than most people will ever learn in their lives. The upside is that my compensation has grown proportionally to my math knowledge loss.

How can you be certain of this?

 

[kage69]

Reminds me of that Farside cartoon where a huge, mean looking cowboy is about to draw on another, smaller and meek looking cowboy sitting at the bar.

"I asked you a question boy!!! What's the square root of 5,284??"

 

[Engineer]

 

[compcons]

How can you be certain of this?

I know very little math now. I make way more money than I did when I knew more math. Therefore, the less math I know, the more I get paid! Its like a proof or something.

 

[DrPizza]

Don't you basically just have to calculate the determinant?

I'd have to briefly look up how the signs are ordered for a 3x3 determinant, and then check that that's what I actually need. But assuming I have my linear algebra books or some other reference handy, I should be done in around 5-10 minutes, unless the integer values exceed what my calculator can deal with.

You don't have to mess with those signs for 3x3 matrices; rewrite the first two columns next to the matrix, and just multiply down and to the right for the 3 diagonals; and subtract up and to the right for the three diagonals. Set it equal to zero, and solve.

But, it's the determinant of lambda minus [A]. So, basically, the bottom left and top right triangles have their signs changed, and the diagonal is lambda minus (each value from the original 3x3).

I'd have a 50/50 chance of survival for a 4x4 matrix though. I haven't done a 4x4 determinant in so long... that damn pattern of signs...

 

[Albatross]

Just started linear algebra,yeah I know some of those words.

 

[Scarpozzi]

What do you mean Eigenvalue? African or European?

 

[Muse]

Unless I engaged in self-hypnosis and teased it out of my brain cells, I'd fail. I do have a degree in math but don't remember a ton of it. I excelled in certain areas. At one time I could have answered that question, not right now.

 

[John Connor]

All I know is that the lowest prime number is 2.

 

[Ken g6]

I took a matrix math course in college. I'm not sure they covered eigenvalues at all. They certainly did determinants, but I think the only time I came close to eigenvalues was a long time before, when I investigated doing my own 3D rendering (of points).

"I asked you a question boy!!! What's the square root of 5,284??"

That one's a lot easier. Test different numbers and square them until you get close.

80*80 = 6400
70*70 = 4900

I see 72*72 = 5184.

 

[Fenixgoon]

i'd give them the eigenvalues. and vectors. just so they'd commit seppuku.

 

[DownTheSky]

Ask for access to a PC with internet.
Google: WTF is eigenvalue

 

[TwiceOver]

Trick question. Math isn't used beyond high school.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Im pretty sure the killer would use a bullet to do dis-integration by parts on my brain.