Difference between revisions of "613: Threesome"

Explain xkcd: It's 'cause you're dumb.
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(Explanation)
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==Explanation==
 
==Explanation==
The {{w|N-Body Problem}} in physics refers to our inability to analytically solve sets of differential equations modelling gravitational attraction between more than two bodies. In the comic, they describe a physicist's difficulty having a threesome due to his inability to find a closed-form solution. The title text suggests they should settle for a numerical solution since a closed form solution is unavailable.
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The {{w|N-Body Problem}} in physics refers to our inability to analytically solve sets of differential equations modelling gravitational attraction between more than two bodies. In the comic, they describe a physicist's difficulty having a threesome due to his inability to find a closed-form solution. The title text suggests they should settle for a numerical solution since a closed form solution is unavailable; however, the physicist apparently refused to do so during the previous night when Megan suggested him to.
  
 
==Transcript==
 
==Transcript==

Revision as of 22:14, 17 July 2014

Threesome
I wanted us to try finding an approximate numeric solution, but noooo.
Title text: I wanted us to try finding an approximate numeric solution, but noooo.

Explanation

The N-Body Problem in physics refers to our inability to analytically solve sets of differential equations modelling gravitational attraction between more than two bodies. In the comic, they describe a physicist's difficulty having a threesome due to his inability to find a closed-form solution. The title text suggests they should settle for a numerical solution since a closed form solution is unavailable; however, the physicist apparently refused to do so during the previous night when Megan suggested him to.

Transcript

Megan: We had a threesome last night.
Cueball: How was it?
Megan: Awkward - it was with a physicist.
Cueball: Why's that awkward?
Megan: They can't solve the three-body problem.
Cueball: Ah, yes.


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Discussion

Any specific solution to Megan, the phycisist, and the lucky third,s problem would result in chaotic motion and no apearent repetitions. Which sounds like fun, i don,t see what Megan,s problem was. 173.245.56.191 16:05, 29 August 2014 (UTC)

I don't think this really explains the comic. The three body problem wasn't explained anywhere near enough. Leafy Greens (talk) 17:21, 16 November 2014 (UTC)

Added some more explanations and interpretations.--162.158.150.140 22:47, 18 February 2016 (UTC)