An average math discussion

[Kittyhawk]

When you say rough half Im thinking something cut in half but not of perfect line.

Whats the percent of a rough half?

[swbarnett]

But even distributions only happen in models - real life is always f*cked up.

Don't think Paddyfaenaki was trying to be scientific - just trying to describe a concept.

Indeed I agree that we've probably gotten way of the original point (that's probably why this is now a new thread).

It's easy to get hung up on semantics.

With enough data a real world sample may approximate a symmetrical distribution (or may not).

When you say rough half Im thinking something cut in half but not of perfect line.

Whats the percent of a rough half?

To be overly mathematical 50%+/-some calculated error depending on the model.

[Jeremy]

But even distributions only happen in models - real life is always f*cked up.

Don't think Paddyfaenaki was trying to be scientific - just trying to describe a concept.

I invoke the power of the CENTRAL LIMIT THEOREM.

MWHAHAHA.

k, will go back to a corner now and finish my maths major. Just one more semester to go, yay.

[The Pastor]

its like this, group A has over half (of its group) that suck balls.

But compared to the nation then it works ok.


Buy a cad drawing from me.

[Edbear]

43

Actually it's 42, but who's counting...?

Tell yer wot! Let's split the difference!

[Patrick]

43

Monty?????

[Sanx]

Monty?????

It's 42, and it's Douglas.

[Patrick]

It's 42, and it's Douglas.

42?? Douglas?? Which one is it then?

(It was Monty Pythons "The meaning of Life" wasn't it???)

[Crisis management]

No, Douglas Adams, The hitch hikers guide to the Galaxy.......

Different religion!

[swbarnett]

It's 42, and it's Douglas.

"What do you get if you multiply 6 by 9?"

Arthur Dent: "That's it. 6 by 9, 42. I always said there was something fundamentally wrong about the universe."

[Jantar]

But 6 x 9 does equal 42. (in base 13).

[rwh]

But 6 x 9 does equal 42. (in base 13).

[checks book]
The book, of course, says 'forty-two', and I assume the radio/tv variants have it pronounced like that too. Which, of course, means it's decimal.

Richard

[Jantar]

42 is pronounced forty-two irrespective of the base (as long its greater than base 4), so why should we assume its decimal? After all, this is in a universe designed by white mice.

THHGTTG is my bible.

[rwh]

42 is pronounced forty-two irrespective of the base

Not what I was taught - it should be 'four two base thirteen' (where thirteen is again decimal for the same reasons ...) if base 13 is what you want.

(as long its greater than base 4), so why should we assume its decimal? After all, this is in a universe designed by white mice.

Agreed, the mice may be to blame for the confusion - though so could Arthur's babelfish, perhaps.

Richard

[swbarnett]

THHGTTG is my bible.

I have all 26 episodes of all four series on CD. I used to be able to recite the first two series verbatim.