Difference between revisions of "626: Newton and Leibniz"

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(Made discussion of calculus more precise.)
(Explanation: Also put on sunglasses.)
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In calculus a {{w|derivative}} is the result of mathematical differentiation: the instantaneous rate of change of a function relative to its argument, and denoted df(x)/dx. Another way to think of the derivative is as a plot of all the slopes of lines tangent to the graph of a function. However, the literary word derivative means developed from something older.
 
In calculus a {{w|derivative}} is the result of mathematical differentiation: the instantaneous rate of change of a function relative to its argument, and denoted df(x)/dx. Another way to think of the derivative is as a plot of all the slopes of lines tangent to the graph of a function. However, the literary word derivative means developed from something older.
  
So, the pun is that Newton in the comic is claiming that Leibniz's derivative (used in his development of calculus) is a derivative of (that is, developed from) his derivative (from his earlier development of calculus).
+
The pun is that Newton is claiming that Leibniz's mathematical derivative is a derivative, or descendant, from his earlier development of this calculus.
  
The comic as a whole is mocking the pattern of corny one-liners that {{w|David Caruso}} often spurts out during the opening scenes of {{w|CSI: Miami}}. The one liner is followed by him dramatically pulling off his sunglasses and then the show breaks into the title sequence which starts with the word "YEEEEAAAAAAAH." This has become a [http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/csi-4-pane-comics popular Internet meme] and was used frequently with {{w|Michael Jackson}}'s death.
+
The comic as a whole is mocking the pattern of corny one-liners that {{w|David Caruso}} often spurts out during the opening scenes of {{w|CSI: Miami}}. The one liner is followed by him dramatically pulling off or putting on his sunglasses and then the show breaks into the title sequence which starts with the word "YEEEEAAAAAAAH." This has become a [http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/csi-4-pane-comics popular Internet meme] and was used frequently with {{w|Michael Jackson}}'s death.
  
 
==Transcript==
 
==Transcript==
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:[Newton with long white hair holds up a sheet of paper.]
 
:[Newton with long white hair holds up a sheet of paper.]
 
:Newton: I've invented calculus!
 
:Newton: I've invented calculus!
 +
 
:Leibniz, 1674
 
:Leibniz, 1674
 
:[Leibniz with long black hair holds up a sheet of paper.]
 
:[Leibniz with long black hair holds up a sheet of paper.]
 
:Leibniz: I've invented calculus!
 
:Leibniz: I've invented calculus!
 +
 
:Newton: Really? Sounds a little bit...
 
:Newton: Really? Sounds a little bit...
 +
 
:[Newton puts on a pair of sunglasses.]
 
:[Newton puts on a pair of sunglasses.]
 +
 
:Newton: ...''Derivative.''
 
:Newton: ...''Derivative.''
  
 
{{comic discussion}}
 
{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Puts on sunglasses]]
 
 
[[Category:Comics featuring real people]]
 
[[Category:Comics featuring real people]]
 
[[Category:Math]]
 
[[Category:Math]]
 +
[[Category:Puts on sunglasses]]

Revision as of 14:05, 30 September 2014

Newton and Leibniz
YEEEEEEAAAAAAHHHHHH!
Title text: YEEEEEEAAAAAAHHHHHH!

Explanation

First and foremost Isaac Newton and Gottfried Leibniz both developed calculus independently of each other, as the comic says, about 8 years apart. However, Newton disputed the fact that Leibniz invented calculus independently of him.

In calculus a derivative is the result of mathematical differentiation: the instantaneous rate of change of a function relative to its argument, and denoted df(x)/dx. Another way to think of the derivative is as a plot of all the slopes of lines tangent to the graph of a function. However, the literary word derivative means developed from something older.

The pun is that Newton is claiming that Leibniz's mathematical derivative is a derivative, or descendant, from his earlier development of this calculus.

The comic as a whole is mocking the pattern of corny one-liners that David Caruso often spurts out during the opening scenes of CSI: Miami. The one liner is followed by him dramatically pulling off or putting on his sunglasses and then the show breaks into the title sequence which starts with the word "YEEEEAAAAAAAH." This has become a popular Internet meme and was used frequently with Michael Jackson's death.

Transcript

Newton, 1666
[Newton with long white hair holds up a sheet of paper.]
Newton: I've invented calculus!
Leibniz, 1674
[Leibniz with long black hair holds up a sheet of paper.]
Leibniz: I've invented calculus!
Newton: Really? Sounds a little bit...
[Newton puts on a pair of sunglasses.]
Newton: ...Derivative.


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Discussion

Is the "break-out sunglasses" a theme on xkcd now?--Classhole 02:38, 24 January 2013 (UTC)

"dramatically pulling off his sunglasses" ?? I'm fairly certain I've never seen the show much less one of these bits, but I thought I understood him to typically be putting on his sunglasses (?) -- Brettpeirce (talk) 14:48, 27 February 2014 (UTC)

The introduction to a glossy Hollywoodland whodunnit is Derivatives? With a take on glasses?
I really need to get a TV and catch up on all the wonderful stuff I have been missing out on.
Does it go into any details about how the two protagonists solved their issues?
I'd really like to see a study on the state of mind that gave the world fluxions and a computer close up of the journey from "fluxions to calculus notation" in 8 years.

I used Google News BEFORE it was clickbait (talk) 00:58, 29 January 2015 (UTC)