Jack and I have started a new thing: a math problem of the week. For those of you around here, the question will be posted outside our door. For everyone else, you can see them at mathprobumn.blogspot.com .
All answers submitted must be submitted to mdrichard05@gmail.com with proof work done. This first week the winner (first correct answer we get) will receive a free meal at Chipotle (or somewhere similar if you don't happen to enjoy Chipotle.)
Even if you aren't in college and/or don't go to UMN, that's okay. We can try to keep our offer for those of you that we know and can establish an IOU for. If other people who don't know us happen to find these problems... well I appreciate you participating!
Thank you, and Jack and I should have another good post up soon!
Friday, November 7, 2014
Thursday, October 30, 2014
What's In A Name?
I was trying to figure out what to post, as I have not written much in a while. While I was considering this, I started absentmindedly assigning numbers to letters, and trying to figure out what I could do with these. As I am a math major, and this blog has contained a disproportionately low amount of math, sadly, I figured I would come up with something related to math to post.
Now, the first idea that came to me before the numbers and letters and math was the idea of what is in a name. I believe that many people consider this to be a first name. What stereotypes are associated with various first names? To me, the meat of the subject is in the last name, your history and what nature has given you. I must admit though that there are merits to both ideas.
So, we have what is in a name. And letters equaling numbers. We have all the necessary tools to do some interesting math.
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
I was considering how to approach creating an idea of using numbers to define what is in a name. Personality characteristics are to intangible to define numerically (at least at my low level of math), but maybe something like precision or accuracy. I figured, lets take a look at the likelihood that a statement someone says is correct based on their name. It must be considered that this should be less than 100% for your average name. So maybe the fraction of your first and last names would help this:
Now, the first idea that came to me before the numbers and letters and math was the idea of what is in a name. I believe that many people consider this to be a first name. What stereotypes are associated with various first names? To me, the meat of the subject is in the last name, your history and what nature has given you. I must admit though that there are merits to both ideas.
So, we have what is in a name. And letters equaling numbers. We have all the necessary tools to do some interesting math.
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
I was considering how to approach creating an idea of using numbers to define what is in a name. Personality characteristics are to intangible to define numerically (at least at my low level of math), but maybe something like precision or accuracy. I figured, lets take a look at the likelihood that a statement someone says is correct based on their name. It must be considered that this should be less than 100% for your average name. So maybe the fraction of your first and last names would help this:
Mark / Richard=43/61=0.705 or 70.5%
Here the value of the name is defined as the summation of each of the values of the letters. So Mark = m + a + r + k = 13 + 1 + 18 + 11 = 43.
I can't tell if that is way too often or not often enough. Either way, a second test that I considered is that there are many names that this model would not follow. I thought instantly of Yao Meng, both a physics TA here at the University and an NBA player:
Yao / Meng = 41/39 = 1.05 or 105%
So this idea was not going to work.
At this point it is rather clear that it is not letters in general that make a good name. Someone with the name Zzzzzz A would not necessarily be better than someone else. So, I decided to add another rule.
Some of the most successful people seem to have a trend of consecutive vowels in their names (especially French and Asian people). With this idea, I thought that the value of a name changes depending on vowels, which to me seem like the more powerful letters, giving definition and form to a word. So, now if two or more vowels are consecutive, you multiply them. However, a = 1 so that wouldn't positively affect the value, so let's say that if a is being multiplied, a = 2. So now:
Yao does not equal Y + a + o, Yao = Y + a*o = 25 + (2*15) = 55.
Now, simply adding the two names does not seem sufficient to determine an inherent value, as discussed above with the Z A thing. Some other manipulation must occur.
I assume that your first name is indicative of the nurture you are going to receive, and your last name is indicative of the nature you are receiving. As such, the value of first names that contain an apostrophe are deducted 5 "points".
Let us say that the added value of your nature and nurture is proportional to the amount of valuable, positive experience you expect to gain by adulthood. However, if your nature value is greater than your nurture value, we can expect some conflict as your inherent nature, whether it be your interests or physical condition, are not good for the molding that your nurture wants.
One way I thought to deal with this is to simply divide your nature value by ten, and use that as a percentage change.
In my case, Mark = 43 and Richard = 61. I expect conflict as a result.
43/10 = 4.3. So to reduce my nurture value, we say 43* (1 - 0.043) = 43*.957 = 41.2
Thus the quality of my experience from being nurtured is reduced by my inherent nature.
So far we have deduced how to roughly, very roughly, determine the value of the experience you are gaining by analyzing your name. Give it a try!
I plan on continuing this train of thought, but I believe this is a good place to end before we start graphing functions related to our names.
If you made it this far, I congratulate you. This post is a large step from the norm, but I think that it is kind of fun to calculate! I will be back with more later.
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
What's So Great About Classical Music?
The class that I decided to take this semester for a break from the math and science classes was a freshmen seminar class called "What's So Great About Classical Music?" In it, my professor, a man whose formal training is in linguistics but has played piano since the age of 7 and is quite knowledgeable, teaches us ways to understand classical music and analyze why it is appealing. The music theory behind it is not something to be described in this post, but let it suffice to say that the two-and-a -half hours I spend every Friday afternoon listening to and discussing classical music is well worth the time.
The reason I mention this at midnight on a Monday night is largely due to Jack and I sitting here, him doing his physics lab report, me biding my time, while listening to Brahms' Symphony no. 1 and Holst's The Planets. It is interesting how classical music flicks a certain switch in many of us, allowing clarity of thought and focus. For some it doesn't work, and other music is preferred. But I have learned that it works extraordinarily well for me. I feel that this is largely due to the stereotype of classical music that has developed in our modern society.
Classical music is thought of as either stuffy and boring or refined and tasteful, as many pieces of art associated with nostalgia or history seem this way. Those of us who view it as refined allow the music to shape our mood into a refined, focused and slightly aloof feeling. This seems to work better with romantic music, Beethoven, Chopin and Debussy, than Bach. Bach is often viewed as more stuff ywith the heavy use of the plunky harpsichord and limited use of dynamics. I am partial to slightly heavier, more daring works. The Planets and Carmina Burana are great examples. These provide an intensity that I need to focus, and this makes sense as these pieces are often heard in action scenes in media. Piano pieces give me a more lulling sensation that makes me want to lie down. The sense that the music gives, in addition to the social connotation, really drives its effectiveness in studying. Even if it is not the center of a room, simply used as background white noise, it helps release tension in the air.
Regardless of your music preference or if classical music is helpful to you, give it a try. Though I have already developed a taste for it, my professor has helped open my eyes to an even more varied repertoire. The beauty, intelligence and pure with that went into the creation of many of these pieces is something rarely seen these days in popular music. Even listening to modern orchestral works or band works is a new experience, and often worth a try.
Saturday, September 20, 2014
Coming Home
This weekend is my first at home since I moved into my dorm. It was a rather surreal experience. It's weird to think about a point in my life where my home suddenly stops really feeling like home... As far as the love of my family, it will always be my home, and home-cooked meals will always have a special place in my heart (especially when compared to dining hall food), yet after living with Jack for a month, having most of my necessary possessions in my dorm, and a new era of my life being introduced, it's scary to think of home as something other than home.
Of course coming back to my girlfriend is something that is special. Seeing my little sister and listening to her bubble along about what is going on is fun. And working again, however tiring and monotonous it feels after a one month hiatus, makes me feel a little better. It's nice to have constants in your life. College is such an amorphous, strange experience for me, and having ties to things I know helps keep me balanced and grounded with all of the new experiences.
I advise everyone to take their first visit home seriously. While we have all been having a great time connecting with new people, enjoying new clubs and groups and stressing over quizzes, it is important to remember that our home is a place (I hope for most of us) that has helped us get where we are. When we go back home we can remember moments that helped us become who we are, helped guide us into this great experience at the University. Enjoy the food put in front of you; there is something about food produced for 4 instead of 4000 that is just more enjoyable sometimes. Tell your parents about what has been happening, keep them in the loop (and censor stories as necessary.)
Maybe this is just me as a nerd in CSE, but even doing a little bit of homework at home where I used to helps me focus and gives me a little nostalgia about awful problems in physics, difficult readings and fun projects. It is good to embrace your new experiences; clinging onto the past is never a healthy or productive way to succeed. I just think that it is important to remember your roots, remember the significant experiences in your life. Doing so will help you be more self-aware. In my mind self-awareness is one of the most important traits that helps one really enjoy life. When you know who you are, you can tailor what you do to who you are, rather than the other way around.
Remember to thank your parents, your siblings, teachers, friends or anyone else who really impacted your life and helped you get where you are. Those who helped drive you to your goals, whether directly or indirectly, deserve an enormous amount of thanks from you. There are so many teachers and friends that I need to thank for everything they did to help me get into the college I wanted and helped prepare me for this academic onslaught.
Keep in mind those who helped you. Remember your roots. Enjoy any stay at home that you get, even if it is just for your own bed or a home-cooked meal. And if you do all of this, your past will drive you forward into the future that you have dreamed of.
Of course coming back to my girlfriend is something that is special. Seeing my little sister and listening to her bubble along about what is going on is fun. And working again, however tiring and monotonous it feels after a one month hiatus, makes me feel a little better. It's nice to have constants in your life. College is such an amorphous, strange experience for me, and having ties to things I know helps keep me balanced and grounded with all of the new experiences.
I advise everyone to take their first visit home seriously. While we have all been having a great time connecting with new people, enjoying new clubs and groups and stressing over quizzes, it is important to remember that our home is a place (I hope for most of us) that has helped us get where we are. When we go back home we can remember moments that helped us become who we are, helped guide us into this great experience at the University. Enjoy the food put in front of you; there is something about food produced for 4 instead of 4000 that is just more enjoyable sometimes. Tell your parents about what has been happening, keep them in the loop (and censor stories as necessary.)
Maybe this is just me as a nerd in CSE, but even doing a little bit of homework at home where I used to helps me focus and gives me a little nostalgia about awful problems in physics, difficult readings and fun projects. It is good to embrace your new experiences; clinging onto the past is never a healthy or productive way to succeed. I just think that it is important to remember your roots, remember the significant experiences in your life. Doing so will help you be more self-aware. In my mind self-awareness is one of the most important traits that helps one really enjoy life. When you know who you are, you can tailor what you do to who you are, rather than the other way around.
Remember to thank your parents, your siblings, teachers, friends or anyone else who really impacted your life and helped you get where you are. Those who helped drive you to your goals, whether directly or indirectly, deserve an enormous amount of thanks from you. There are so many teachers and friends that I need to thank for everything they did to help me get into the college I wanted and helped prepare me for this academic onslaught.
Keep in mind those who helped you. Remember your roots. Enjoy any stay at home that you get, even if it is just for your own bed or a home-cooked meal. And if you do all of this, your past will drive you forward into the future that you have dreamed of.
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
The Loss of a Roommate
Destiny is here to play.
I'm sure for some of you this means a whole heck of a lot. For me, it is a rather worthless statement. The only thing I have just realized that it means to me is that I have lost my roommate for the next few months.
Jack is not addicted to video games, but he is very excited about this particular one. Yes, watching him play I must admit the graphics are impressive and of course it's a rather different form of game than the average RPG or First Person Shooter. It is simply that I, despite being a CSE kid, am not terribly intrigued by video games. I will play the occasional game of whatever Jack owns here, just for kicks, but I have never been very good nor have I aspired to be.
Losing Jack is hard. It is hard to see him sucked into a vortex of other-worldly sights and sounds, lost from contact beyond the realm of the game. The graphics alone are enough to desensitize even the most curious person from the real world. Jack is a smart kid, but I feel I have lost him forever. Emotional support would be nice.
I do apologize for my hiatus from posting, and starting off again with this sad post. It is simply that I felt the need to voice my concern over this transitional period in our relationship.
Video games are an odd thing for me. I do understand the appeal, and some do impress me as far as strategy is concerned, though overall they have become the perfect marketing ruse.
To those of you who have lost loved ones to Destiny, I empathize with you and I would love to organize a support group. I need one as much as everyone else. To those of you who are hurting those closest to you, either by neglecting them or denying them play time on the game, I simply pour my heart out to you so you can provide some interaction, something to let us know that the glaze in your eye is not personal, that it will pass and we can have you back from the future world that is Destiny.
I'm sure for some of you this means a whole heck of a lot. For me, it is a rather worthless statement. The only thing I have just realized that it means to me is that I have lost my roommate for the next few months.
Jack is not addicted to video games, but he is very excited about this particular one. Yes, watching him play I must admit the graphics are impressive and of course it's a rather different form of game than the average RPG or First Person Shooter. It is simply that I, despite being a CSE kid, am not terribly intrigued by video games. I will play the occasional game of whatever Jack owns here, just for kicks, but I have never been very good nor have I aspired to be.
Losing Jack is hard. It is hard to see him sucked into a vortex of other-worldly sights and sounds, lost from contact beyond the realm of the game. The graphics alone are enough to desensitize even the most curious person from the real world. Jack is a smart kid, but I feel I have lost him forever. Emotional support would be nice.
I do apologize for my hiatus from posting, and starting off again with this sad post. It is simply that I felt the need to voice my concern over this transitional period in our relationship.
Video games are an odd thing for me. I do understand the appeal, and some do impress me as far as strategy is concerned, though overall they have become the perfect marketing ruse.
To those of you who have lost loved ones to Destiny, I empathize with you and I would love to organize a support group. I need one as much as everyone else. To those of you who are hurting those closest to you, either by neglecting them or denying them play time on the game, I simply pour my heart out to you so you can provide some interaction, something to let us know that the glaze in your eye is not personal, that it will pass and we can have you back from the future world that is Destiny.
Monday, September 1, 2014
Frisbee and Bumble Bees
In addition to being very tech-savvy, good at math and engineering, and multi-talented in general, today the guys of CSE showed their medical prowess and calm demeanor.
As I'm writing this, Peter is lying on his futon, sipping on tea, hoping that the benadryl will kick in soon. He'll be fine.
During a fine game of Ultimate on the Mall lawn, our good friend Peter happened to step on a bee while barefoot. It got him right between his 2nd and 3rd toes. Rough stuff. Grimacing, he hobbled over to the edge of the lawn while the rest of us went to work, getting the stinger out rapidly and discussing briefly the best medical treatment. As it was Labor Day, Boynton was closed, forcing us to trade off carrying him back to Frontier from the Mall. It was a hell of a walk, but Peter was a trooper. And there were definitely worse candidates for the sting as far as getting carried back goes.
As I'm writing this, Peter is lying on his futon, sipping on tea, hoping that the benadryl will kick in soon. He'll be fine.
If anyone else asks though, especially if you talk to Basel, he got shot in the foot and we carried him 6 miles with a t-shirt around his foot to stop it from bleeding.
I must also give a shout-out to Daniel, the one CBS kid who was with us who actually got the stinger out.
I must also give a shout-out to Daniel, the one CBS kid who was with us who actually got the stinger out.
Sunday, August 31, 2014
First Night Out
Tonight the freshman class went to the Mall of America for free rides in Nickelodeon Universe and entrance into Sea Life Aquarium. In and of itself, the Mall was not terribly exciting; the interesting part happened afterward.
Six of us decided to go out to Dinkytown when we got back, around 12:30 a.m., to get some food. Mesa Pizza was just a tad crowded so we opted for Five Guys. Things were going just swimmingly when 5 people who Jack, Basel and I graduated with, walked in completely wasted. This itself was rather interesting talk, but then one of them, John, decided to leave. Just a few minutes later we saw him carefully peering into the windows. Somewhat regular drunken behavior I suppose, except the restaurant was full of people, was well lighted, and had full frontal windows. After he seemed to have decided it was worth re-entering, he opened up the first door.
There he met a challenge: On the left was the entrance door, containing a handle. Directly in front of him was an exit with no handle on the outside. His alcohol-induced mind seemed to be thinking in an acutely one-directional fashion, leading him to charge forward, determined, directly into the exit. Infinitely confused by the lack of movement, he continued to push against it multiple times. A puzzled look crossed his face as he searched blindly for help. Finally he kicked the door and left.
Later on, after we had finished our meal and continued to laugh at what we had just saw, suddenly there John was again across the road, jogging at a brisk pace toward a stoplight. There he stopped, a little confused, until another group of people yelled at him. Little interaction occurred, and we saw him texting and calling someone. We assumed he was calling his friends, who had neglected to notice his little plight with doors, wondering why the restaurant was closed and what they could possibly do to let him in.
It is interesting to see people you have known for years in such a state of disrepair. But that doesn't dull the humor.
It was hard to decide whether the ladies who asked us if we knew how to Tango, John, or the guy who ate a raw potato while waiting in line took the win for best part of our first night out off of campus (all three groups/people were drunk), but I believe it has decidedly gone to John.
Six of us decided to go out to Dinkytown when we got back, around 12:30 a.m., to get some food. Mesa Pizza was just a tad crowded so we opted for Five Guys. Things were going just swimmingly when 5 people who Jack, Basel and I graduated with, walked in completely wasted. This itself was rather interesting talk, but then one of them, John, decided to leave. Just a few minutes later we saw him carefully peering into the windows. Somewhat regular drunken behavior I suppose, except the restaurant was full of people, was well lighted, and had full frontal windows. After he seemed to have decided it was worth re-entering, he opened up the first door.
There he met a challenge: On the left was the entrance door, containing a handle. Directly in front of him was an exit with no handle on the outside. His alcohol-induced mind seemed to be thinking in an acutely one-directional fashion, leading him to charge forward, determined, directly into the exit. Infinitely confused by the lack of movement, he continued to push against it multiple times. A puzzled look crossed his face as he searched blindly for help. Finally he kicked the door and left.
Later on, after we had finished our meal and continued to laugh at what we had just saw, suddenly there John was again across the road, jogging at a brisk pace toward a stoplight. There he stopped, a little confused, until another group of people yelled at him. Little interaction occurred, and we saw him texting and calling someone. We assumed he was calling his friends, who had neglected to notice his little plight with doors, wondering why the restaurant was closed and what they could possibly do to let him in.
It is interesting to see people you have known for years in such a state of disrepair. But that doesn't dull the humor.
It was hard to decide whether the ladies who asked us if we knew how to Tango, John, or the guy who ate a raw potato while waiting in line took the win for best part of our first night out off of campus (all three groups/people were drunk), but I believe it has decidedly gone to John.
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