Math help

[Elites]

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/2280/math1.th.jpg

Probably easy for some of you math folks, i could just use y=mx+b to figure out from any points i choose but not sure how to get the equations from those 3 specific points given.

[Trajan]

I am not going to give you the answer b/c this is an exam but yes, use the fact that a line is governed by the equation y = mx + b. If you need some help starting the problem, try setting x = 0 and see what happens to line B.

[Woozie]

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/2280/math1.th.jpg

Probably easy for some of you math folks, i could just use y=mx+b to figure out from any points i choose but not sure how to get the equations from those 3 specific points given.

What does y = mx + b mean? Do you know the meaning of each variable? And can you give a description of what the variable means on a graph of a line?

[zoobernut]

I just want to point out that the problem specifically tells you to pay attention to the definition of a rectangle and that becomes very important to finding the equation for all four lines. Just keep that in mind.

[Trajan]

Lines C and D are irrelevant. They want you to keep in mind that it is a rectangle because that means lines A and B share a property, which I can't say now.

[zoobernut]

The problem asks for the equations for all 4 lines so C and D are hardly irrelevant. The fact that all 4 lines are part of a rectangle gives you two key pieces of information based on the property that you are talking about.

Edit: If you mean you can find A and B without knowing C and D then you are correct. There is a particular order in which you can solve for the equations that does make it easier.

Edit2: Woozie I start working on my bachelors in applied math in spring 2010. With a minor in photography Taking Computer Science 1 first and then probably Linear Algebra next.

[Trajan]

I just reread the problem, you might be right.

Edit: Man do I need something better to do with my weekend then f5ing math threads.

[hulokea]

I accept with information: The problem asks for the equations for all 4 lines so C and D are hardly irrelevant. The fact that all 4 lines are part of a rectangle gives you two key pieces of information based on the property that you are talking about.

[zoobernut]

Huh? Bot?

And lol yeah I was F5ing the math thread too.

[Bugpop]

use y = mx +b
m = dy/dx or rise/run
B and D are perpendicular
B and D pass through the origin

line A and B rise and run are 3 and 5, respectively
line C and D rise and run are 5 and -3, respectively

you can use the information so far to find B and D
you only need y = mx

For A and C
A is 5 units higher than B
to find C, plug (10,6) into y = mx +b


I would do the math for you, but this is enough to get you going

[Woozie]

Edit2: Woozie I start working on my bachelors in applied math in spring 2010. With a minor in photography Taking Computer Science 1 first and then probably Linear Algebra next.

Nice. Though since you're in applied and I'm in theoretical, we are now enemies.

No seriously, you should have heard our discussions in modeling and simulation last year. There were like two theoretical math majors and like 5 applied math majors, and we just sat around making fun of each other the whole year.

Also, one of the professors in the math department has this comic with math department bathrooms. Instead of "Men" and "Women", it's separated into "Theoretical" and "Applied"

[zoobernut]

Lol awesome. For me it really was a toss up between applied and theoretical. However since I am trying to do this so I can become a game designer applied seemed appropriate.

Don't worry I am going to take electives in the theoretical department I think I need to take 4 level 300 or higher elective math classes not related to my concentration.

I really want to learn more about the chaos theory and modeling chaotic systems and fractals. Is that something that you know about or have done in school?

[Silversonic_11]

If you know the gradient of one line, the gradient of the line perpendicular to it is

Gradient perpendicular line = -1/Gradient

Following that and what Bigpop said it is no problem.

[zoobernut]

Wow way to do the entire problem for him. We WERE trying to point him in the right direction and then let him actually try the problem since it is a take home TEST. But oh well. Everyone told you exactly how to do it so you should be fine.

[Woozie]

I really want to learn more about the chaos theory and modeling chaotic systems and fractals. Is that something that you know about or have done in school?

That's something you'd do in the physics department. I've never encountered this in the math department (but I'm a theoretical math major. I can't say for sure if you'll do this in applied math, but every applied math major I know is familiar with chaos).

The way it works at my school is that every applied math major chooses a certain area to focus in. That's why there were so many applied math majors in my modeling and simulation class (that's a physics class). A huge part of our work in this class was on chaos and fractals. So obviously, these applied math majors got exposure to this.

Also, #1 top rated job:

The Best and Worst Jobs in the U.S. - WSJ.com

The Best	               The Worst
1. Mathematician 	200. Lumberjack
2. Actuary 	                        199. Dairy Farmer
3. Statistician 	                198. Taxi Driver
4. Biologist 	                        197. Seaman
5. Software Engineer 	        196. EMT
6. Computer Systems Analyst 195. Roofer
7. Historian 	                194. Garbage Collector
8. Sociologist 	                193. Welder
9. Industrial Designer 	        192. Roustabout
10. Accountant 	                191. Ironworker
11. Economist 	                190. Construction Worker
12. Philosopher 	                189. Mail Carrier
13. Physicist 	        188. Sheet Metal Worker
14. Parole Officer 	        187. Auto Mechanic
15. Meteorologist 	        186. Butcher
16. Medical Laboratory Technician 	185. Nuclear Decontamination Tech
17. Paralegal Assistant 	        184. Nurse (LN)
18. Computer Programmer 	183. Painter
19. Motion Picture Editor 	182. Child Care Worker
20. Astronomer 	                181. Firefighter

[zoobernut]

Nice. The reason why I was thinking math is because I was more interested in the fractals side of the chaos stuff and the math models used to describe chaotic systems. But if it is in the physics department I might still be able to take those classes if the Math department thinks they are math related enough.

[Trajan]

I don't think you work with fractals as an undergrad. I minored in math but a few of my friends majored in it and never dealt with them. Maybe you can work with fractals in complex analysis, but I doubt it.

[Eliseos]

Also, #1 top rated job:

The Best and Worst Jobs in the U.S. - WSJ.com

The Best	               The Worst
1. Mathematician 	200. Lumberjack
2. Actuary 	                        199. Dairy Farmer
3. Statistician 	                198. Taxi Driver
4. Biologist 	                        197. Seaman
5. Software Engineer 	        196. EMT
6. Computer Systems Analyst 195. Roofer
7. Historian 	                194. Garbage Collector
8. Sociologist 	                193. Welder
9. Industrial Designer 	        192. Roustabout
10. Accountant 	                191. Ironworker
11. Economist 	                190. Construction Worker
12. Philosopher 	                189. Mail Carrier
13. Physicist 	        188. Sheet Metal Worker
14. Parole Officer 	        187. Auto Mechanic
15. Meteorologist 	        186. Butcher
16. Medical Laboratory Technician 	185. Nuclear Decontamination Tech
17. Paralegal Assistant 	        184. Nurse (LN)
18. Computer Programmer 	183. Painter
19. Motion Picture Editor 	182. Child Care Worker
20. Astronomer 	                181. Firefighter

That list makes me very happy about double majoring lol.

[Lochnessmonster]

Also, #1 top rated job:

The Best	               The Worst
1. Mathematician 	200. Lumberjack
2. Actuary 	                        199. Dairy Farmer
3. Statistician 	                198. Taxi Driver
4. Biologist 	                        197. Seaman
5. Software Engineer 	        196. EMT
6. Computer Systems Analyst 195. Roofer
7. Historian 	                194. Garbage Collector
8. Sociologist 	                193. Welder
9. Industrial Designer 	        192. Roustabout
10. Accountant 	                191. Ironworker
11. Economist 	                190. Construction Worker
12. Philosopher 	                189. Mail Carrier
13. Physicist 	        188. Sheet Metal Worker
14. Parole Officer 	        187. Auto Mechanic
15. Meteorologist 	        186. Butcher
16. Medical Laboratory Technician 	185. Nuclear Decontamination Tech
17. Paralegal Assistant 	        184. Nurse (LN)
18. Computer Programmer 	183. Painter
19. Motion Picture Editor 	182. Child Care Worker
20. Astronomer 	                181. Firefighter

Biased study. Uses math to determine rankings.

[Galois]

Also, #1 top rated job:

The Best and Worst Jobs in the U.S. - WSJ.com

The Best	               The Worst
1. Mathematician 	200. Lumberjack
2. Actuary 	                        199. Dairy Farmer
3. Statistician 	                198. Taxi Driver
4. Biologist 	                        197. Seaman
5. Software Engineer 	        196. EMT
6. Computer Systems Analyst 195. Roofer
7. Historian 	                194. Garbage Collector
8. Sociologist 	                193. Welder
9. Industrial Designer 	        192. Roustabout
10. Accountant 	                191. Ironworker
11. Economist 	                190. Construction Worker
12. Philosopher 	                189. Mail Carrier
13. Physicist 	        188. Sheet Metal Worker
14. Parole Officer 	        187. Auto Mechanic
15. Meteorologist 	        186. Butcher
16. Medical Laboratory Technician 	185. Nuclear Decontamination Tech
17. Paralegal Assistant 	        184. Nurse (LN)
18. Computer Programmer 	183. Painter
19. Motion Picture Editor 	182. Child Care Worker
20. Astronomer 	                181. Firefighter

I started out wanting to have the #1 rated job, but ended up with the #3 rated job.