https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/api.php?action=feedcontributions&user=Max+Nanasy&feedformat=atomexplain xkcd - User contributions [en]2024-03-29T13:25:50ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.30.0https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:1184:_Circumference_Formula&diff=30385Talk:1184: Circumference Formula2013-03-14T00:35:35Z<p>Max Nanasy: </p>
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<div>:Tau x Radius, superscript 2<br />
:Leaves one wondering what the superscript 1 refers. {{unsigned|74.215.40.250}}<br />
::It's 2''&pi;r''<sup>2</sup>, '''not''' ''&tau;r''<sup>2</sup>. —[[Special:Contributions/173.199.215.5|173.199.215.5]] 05:37, 11 March 2013 (UTC)<br />
:::You're missing the point. ''&tau;'' == 2''&pi;'' and is considered better than using ''&pi;'' by some people {{unsigned|138.195.69.136}}<br />
::::Only for very loose definitions of "better." [[Special:Contributions/71.201.53.130|71.201.53.130]] 14:59, 11 March 2013 (UTC)<br />
::::Whoa! Never heard about that before, but after 2 hrs or so, I think I'm getting convinced! Check this site out: http://tauday.com/ What do you think? –[[User:St.nerol|St.nerol]] ([[User talk:St.nerol|talk]]) 18:06, 11 March 2013 (UTC)<br />
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::I think tau is pointless. Using tau what then happens to Euler's famous formula, the most beautiful equation of them all? Pi shows up in so many different ways and places in mathematics. Tau appears pretty much only in the formula for a circle's circumference. Why bother needlessly proliferating symbols? [[User:J Milstein|J Milstein]] ([[User talk:J Milstein|talk]]) 18:17, 11 March 2013 (UTC)<br />
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:::RE: Euler's Identity: e^(tau*i) - 1 = 0 --[[User:Max Nanasy|Max Nanasy]] ([[User talk:Max Nanasy|talk]]) 18:27, 11 March 2013 (UTC) <br />
::::Ok, that works [[User:J Milstein|J Milstein]] ([[User talk:J Milstein|talk]]) 17:05, 13 March 2013 (UTC)<br />
::::Why not just e^(tau*i) = 1. Do you routinely do 2 + 2 - 4 = 0?[[Special:Contributions/206.181.86.98|206.181.86.98]] 20:31, 13 March 2013 (UTC)<br />
:::::Because:<br />
:::::* Symmetry wrt the original Euler's Identity (e^(pi*i) + 1 = 0)<br />
:::::* According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euler's_identity#Mathematical_beauty, "in algebra and other areas of mathematics, equations are commonly written with zero on one side of the equals sign."<br />
:::::--[[User:Max Nanasy|Max Nanasy]] ([[User talk:Max Nanasy|talk]]) 00:35, 14 March 2013 (UTC)<br />
:::[http://tauday.com/tau-manifesto The tau manifesto] fairly well convinced me that all occurances of &pi; in mathematics utimately trace back from the formula C = 2''&pi;r''. If so, &pi; naturally ''enter'' calculations as 2&pi;. Can anyone find a counterexample to this thesis? –[[User:St.nerol|St.nerol]] ([[User talk:St.nerol|talk]]) 00:29, 14 March 2013 (UTC)<br />
:From what I understand, the thesis from the tau-proponents is that 2*pi is the fundamental natural constant, and that virtually ''every time'' that pi shows up without the factor 2, there originally was a factor two that was cancelled out. –[[User:St.nerol|St.nerol]] ([[User talk:St.nerol|talk]]) 01:53, 12 March 2013 (UTC)<br />
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Not completely sure Earth Prime is from Sliders, but it's true it's the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_Prime only one named exactly that] ... -- [[User:Hkmaly|Hkmaly]] ([[User talk:Hkmaly|talk]]) 09:54, 11 March 2013 (UTC)<br />
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There's also a [http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Prime_Earth Prime Earth] now. Just so DC can screw with us. [[User:Hogtree Octovish|Hogtree Octovish]] ([[User talk:Hogtree Octovish|talk]]) 10:40, 11 March 2013 (UTC)<br />
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I still don't get it.[[Special:Contributions/49.176.102.213|49.176.102.213]] 12:41, 11 March 2013 (UTC)<br />
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:If you don't get it, you don't need to get it [[User:J Milstein|J Milstein]] ([[User talk:J Milstein|talk]]) 18:07, 11 March 2013 (UTC)<br />
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Well, that was lame. --[[Special:Contributions/87.122.60.227|87.122.60.227]] 17:19, 11 March 2013 (UTC)<br />
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This comic illustrates the strategy of "The Unconsummated Asterisk", from the essay "Mathmanship" by Nicholas Vanserg (available at [http://e-science.ru/forum/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=7701]).<br />
<blockquote><br />
The other side of the asterisk gambit is to use a superscript as a key to a real footnote. The knowledge‐seeker reads that S is – 36.7<sup>14</sup> calories and thinks "Gee what a whale of a lot of calories" until he reads to the bottom of the page, finds footnote 14 and says "oh."<br />
</blockquote><br />
For bonus points, Randall could have used also "Pi-Throwing":<br />
<blockquote><br />
For example every schoolboy knows what &pi; stands for so you can hold him at bay by heaving some entirely different kind of &pi; into the equation. The poor fellow will automatically multiply by 3.1416, then begin wondering how a &pi; got into the act anyhow, and finally discover that all the while &pi; was osmotic pressure. If you are careful not to warn him, this one is good for a delay of about an hour and a half.<br />
</blockquote> [[User:Chymicus|Chymicus]] ([[User talk:Chymicus|talk]]) 19:01, 11 March 2013 (UTC)<br />
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I believe the current description of prime as denoting derivatives is true but irrelevant. Since the area and circumference refers to geometry (not really calculus), it's more likely that the title text is referring to the common use of primes in geometry. For example, there might be two or more parallel lines that are denoted by x, x′, x′′, etc. Wikipedia also notes another geometric use of {{w|prime}}: "if a point is represented by the Cartesian coordinates (x, y), then that point rotated, translated or reflected might be represented as (x′, y′)." [[User:S|S]] ([[User talk:S|talk]]) 23:32, 11 March 2013 (UTC)<br />
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that is so wrong, i feel my mind corrupted now. -- [[User:Anarcat|Anarcat]] ([[User talk:Anarcat|talk]]) 23:57, 11 March 2013 (UTC)<br />
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This explanation was hillarious -- where is the up-vote button ?? [[User:Spongebog|Spongebog]] ([[User talk:Spongebog|talk]])<br />
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:+1 [[User:Smperron|Smperron]] ([[User talk:Smperron|talk]]) 16:33, 13 March 2013 (UTC)<br />
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So, where's todays comic? How many times has Randal been late?[[Special:Contributions/70.199.225.225|70.199.225.225]] 16:15, 13 March 2013 (UTC)<br />
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:Today's comic was posted just a few minutes ago. I'm anxiously awaiting its explanation as it picks on a programming language I'm not familiar with (possibly SQL). [[User:Smperron|Smperron]] ([[User talk:Smperron|talk]]) 16:33, 13 March 2013 (UTC)<br />
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It uses pseudocode. The new one is about sorting algorithms in general, not any particular language. [[Special:Contributions/130.245.231.101|130.245.231.101]] 17:00, 13 March 2013 (UTC)</div>Max Nanasyhttps://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1185:_Ineffective_Sorts&diff=303621185: Ineffective Sorts2013-03-13T18:41:19Z<p>Max Nanasy: /* Explanation */ rm is not a GNU-specific command; it is required by POSIX, though</p>
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<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1185<br />
| date = March 13, 2013<br />
| title = Ineffective Sorts<br />
| image = ineffective_sorts.png<br />
| titletext = StackSort connects to StackOverflow, searches for 'sort a list', and downloads and runs code snippets until the list is sorted.<br />
}}<br />
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==Explanation==<br />
The comic gives examples of four non-functional sorting algorithms written in pseudo python. <br />
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The first sort is an unfinished merge sort. The merge sort works recursively by dividing a list in half and performing a merge sort to each half. After the two halves are sorted, they are merged, taking advantage of the fact that the two halves are now in correct order and thus the merge can be done with a minimum number of comparisons. The sort will divide the list until it contains elements of size one, then would begin merging. However, the author of the merge sort in the comic appears to have given up on writing the merge part of the sort. In its current state, the sort would divide the list into elements of size one, do nothing to them, and return the two halves of the original list.<br />
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The second sort is a bogosort, a sort that works by randomly shuffling the elements in the list. In a comment, the author claims the sort will run in O(nlog(n)) time, when bogosorts actually run in O(n*n!) time and may never finish. The author cheats this limitation by reporting a fictitious error in the operating system (a "kernel page fault") if the list isn't ordered after shuffling log(n) times.<br />
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The third sort parodies a programmer explaining a quicksort during a job interview. The quicksort works by choosing a index as a pivot value and sorting all elements less than the pivot before the pivot and all the elements greater than the pivot after the pivot. It then does a quicksort to the section less than the pivot and the section greater than the pivot until the whole list is sorted. The interviewee flounders for a little while, then asks whether he can use the standard libraries to call a quicksort. Using the standard library's quicksort would allow the programmer to successfully execute a quicksort, but would not demonstrate that he knows how it works.<br />
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The final sort is just a mess. First it checks to see if the list is sorted, and exits if it is. Then it cuts the list 10,000 times (like a deck of cards) and exits if the list is sorted. Next, in desperation, it checks if the list is sorted three times. It then empties the list, tries to shutdown the computer and attempts to delete first the current directory, second the user's home directory, and finally the entire file system. rm is a POSIX command; the -r and -f flags mean that the remove command will remove all contents of the specified directories and will not prompt the user beforehand. The program next runs rd, the windows equivalent of rm, in an attempt to delete the "C:" drive. The /s flag does the same thing as -r and the /q flag does the same thing as -f. Finally, the program returns a list containing the numbers one through five in order.<br />
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==Transcript==<br />
<!-- The transcript can be found in a hidden <div> element on the xkcd comic's html source, with id "transcript".<br />
-- Tip: Use colons (:) in the beginning of lines to preserve the original line breaks. <br />
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{{comic discussion}}<br />
<!-- Include any categories below this line--></div>Max Nanasyhttps://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:1184:_Circumference_Formula&diff=30264Talk:1184: Circumference Formula2013-03-11T18:27:55Z<p>Max Nanasy: </p>
<hr />
<div>:Tau x Radius, superscript 2<br />
:Leaves one wondering what the superscript 1 refers. {{unsigned|74.215.40.250}}<br />
::It's 2''&pi;r''<sup>2</sup>, '''not''' ''&tau;r''<sup>2</sup>. —[[Special:Contributions/173.199.215.5|173.199.215.5]] 05:37, 11 March 2013 (UTC)<br />
:::You're missing the point. ''&tau;'' == 2''&pi;'' and is considered better than using ''&pi;'' by some people {{unsigned|138.195.69.136}}<br />
::::Only for very loose definitions of "better." [[Special:Contributions/71.201.53.130|71.201.53.130]] 14:59, 11 March 2013 (UTC)<br />
::::Whoa! Never heard about that before, but after 2 hrs or so, I think I'm getting convinced! Check this site out: http://tauday.com/ What do you think? –[[User:St.nerol|St.nerol]] ([[User talk:St.nerol|talk]]) 18:06, 11 March 2013 (UTC)<br />
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I think tau is pointless. Using tau what then happens to Euler's famous formula, the most beautiful equation of them all? Pi shows up in so many different ways and places in mathematics. Tau appears pretty much only in the formula for a circle's circumference. Why bother needlessly proliferating symbols? [[User:J Milstein|J Milstein]] ([[User talk:J Milstein|talk]]) 18:17, 11 March 2013 (UTC)<br />
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:RE: Euler's Identity: e^(tau*i) - 1 = 0 --[[User:Max Nanasy|Max Nanasy]] ([[User talk:Max Nanasy|talk]]) 18:27, 11 March 2013 (UTC)<br />
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:Not completely sure Earth Prime is from Sliders, but it's true it's the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_Prime only one named exactly that] ... -- [[User:Hkmaly|Hkmaly]] ([[User talk:Hkmaly|talk]]) 09:54, 11 March 2013 (UTC)<br />
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There's also a [http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Prime_Earth Prime Earth] now. Just so DC can screw with us. [[User:Hogtree Octovish|Hogtree Octovish]] ([[User talk:Hogtree Octovish|talk]]) 10:40, 11 March 2013 (UTC)<br />
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I still don't get it.[[Special:Contributions/49.176.102.213|49.176.102.213]] 12:41, 11 March 2013 (UTC)<br />
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Well, that was lame. --[[Special:Contributions/87.122.60.227|87.122.60.227]] 17:19, 11 March 2013 (UTC)<br />
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If you don't get it, you don't need to get it [[User:J Milstein|J Milstein]] ([[User talk:J Milstein|talk]]) 18:07, 11 March 2013 (UTC)</div>Max Nanasyhttps://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1149:_Broomstick&diff=232471149: Broomstick2012-12-20T20:42:27Z<p>Max Nanasy: /* Explanation */</p>
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<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1149<br />
| date = December 19, 2012<br />
| title = Broomstick<br />
| image = broomstick.png<br />
| titletext = 'Broom first, then slippers.' 'How do I know you'll return the broom once you've secured your ticket?' 'I'll leave my little dog as collateral.' 'Great. Pleasure doing business!'<br />
}}<br />
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==Explanation==<br />
In this comic, [[Megan]] plays the part of {{w|Dorothy Gale|Dorothy}}, the {{w|protagonist}} of ''{{w|The Wonderful Wizard of Oz|The Wizard of Oz}}''. Dorothy has been trapped in the {{w|Land of Oz}} due to {{w|Tornado|extreme weather}} and must obtain transportation home. An off-screen character, presumably the {{w|Wizard of Oz (character)|Wizard of Oz}} himself, offers her a ride if she obtains the {{w|The Wicked Witch of the West}}'s magic broom. Megan wears {{w|Ruby Slippers}} and uses them as a bargaining chip to obtain the Witch's broom.<br />
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The "little dog" offered in the title text is Dorothy's faithful companion {{w|Toto (Oz)|Toto}}.<br />
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{{w|The Wicked Witch of the West}} is a fictional character and the most significant antagonist in ''The Wizard of Oz'', which is based on L. Frank Baum's children's book ''{{w|The Wonderful Wizard of Oz}}''. In the 1939 version of ''The Wizard of Oz'', the Wicked Witch flies on her broom over the Emerald City demanding Dorothy's surrender, and the Wizard demands the destruction of the Witch with her broom as proof, in exchange for granting the wishes of Dorothy and her companions.<br />
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The point of the comic is to show how easily Dorothy could resolve the situation if she was willing to forsake both her traveling companions and her pet. She leaves Toto with the Witch, who will presumably do something unpleasant to him when she realizes that Dorothy has stolen her broom and she will also leave Oz completely at the mercy of said witch by giving her the Ruby Slippers and leaving with the Wizard.<br />
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==Transcript==<br />
:[Megan wearing red shoes talking to somebody off-screen]<br />
:[Off-screen]: ''Bring me the broomstick of the Wicked Witch of the West and I’ll take you home.''<br />
:Megan: Got it.<br />
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:[Megan wearing red shoes standing before steps]<br />
:Megan: You can have the slippers if you let me borrow your broom.<br />
:[Off-screen]: Deal.<br />
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:[Megan carrying a broom and singing]<br />
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:[Megan flying in a balloon over three ''Wizard of Oz'' characters]<br />
:Megan: That was easy.<br />
{{comic discussion}} <br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br />
[[Category:Comics with color]]</div>Max Nanasyhttps://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:1143:_Location&diff=22077Talk:1143: Location2012-12-05T21:28:46Z<p>Max Nanasy: </p>
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<div>I thought the words "like" and "hang out" were references to facebook's "like" and google's "hang out". What do the native speakers think? {{unsigned|213.252.171.254|07:56, 5 December 2012 (UTC)}}<br />
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: Not in this case- here they're just being used as the everyday terms that facebook and google co-opted. {{unsigned|140.247.0.10|08:12, 5 December 2012 (UTC)}}<br />
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:: I agree. {{unsigned|122.60.40.91|09:28, 5 December 2012 (UTC)}}<br />
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: Native speaker here: there doesn't seem to be anything distinctive about the use of 'like' and 'hang out' in this comic to indicate they might be references. {{unsigned|170.194.32.42|10:33, 5 December 2012 (UTC)}}<br />
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:: The words aren't out of place otherwise, so it just might be a (big) coincidence. I still find it likely to be true. [[Special:Contributions/207.237.164.241|207.237.164.241]] 11:18, 5 December 2012 (UTC)<br />
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: Another native speaker here. You typically would not "hang out" – in real life – with people you don't "like" – as in you like your friends. There's nothing in the comic to make me think there's any connection with Facebook or Google+. [[Special:Contributions/24.41.5.167|24.41.5.167]] 11:44, 5 December 2012 (UTC)<br />
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: This native speaker agrees. The dialog is ordinary informal American English. That's why facebook and Google hijacked the words. Facebook and Google want to be seen as informal and idiomatic institutions. {{unsigned|174.125.142.147|15:25, 5 December 2012 (UTC)}}<br />
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::They'll be very disappointed when they discover that he just decorated the bushes around his house with green LED lights for Christmas. --Geoff [[Special:Contributions/128.156.10.80|128.156.10.80]] 19:22, 5 December 2012 (UTC)<br />
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No explanation for the space noises? [[User:Max Nanasy|Max Nanasy]] ([[User talk:Max Nanasy|talk]]) 21:28, 5 December 2012 (UTC)</div>Max Nanasy