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        New Message Board Archives >> 2003 Posts >> Math Question (not CH)
        
(Message started by: catlind on Jun 19^th, 2003, 9:13pm)

Title: Math Question (not CH)
Post by catlind on Jun 19^th, 2003, 9:13pm

Clark (aka Anthem) needs help with a math problem:

Let A be a subset of the real numbers. The "characteristic function" of A is
defined to be the function f(x) such that f(a) = 1 if a is an element of A
and f(a) = 0 otherwise. If f(x) is the characteristic function of A and g(x)
is the characteristic function of B, what is the characteristic function of
the union of A and B?

Cat
(if ya didn't have a CH before, I bet you do now LOL)

Title: Re: Math Question (not CH)
Post by Bob P on Jun 19^th, 2003, 9:20pm

Intercourse?

Title: Re: Math Question (not CH)
Post by cootie on Jun 19^th, 2003, 11:00pm

beer suds ?

Title: Re: Math Question (not CH)
Post by Svenn on Jun 20^th, 2003, 2:08am

Thats simple Cat. It all adds up to HEADACHE ;D ;D ;D ;D

Svenn

Title: Re: Math Question (not CH)
Post by brain_cramps on Jun 20^th, 2003, 4:25am

TRICK QUESTION (I think)

Just a wild guess... but the union of A and B is the union of all REAL numbers and all non-REAL numbers, or in fact, ALL numbers.

Is it possible to find two linear functions, f(x) = mx + b and g(x) = nx + c, such that the function h(x) = f(x).g(x) is tangent to each.

A traditional approach would begin with algebraic manipulation. This is useful because it keeps the inexperienced occupied, but what can one know for sure?

Clearly, h(x) = (mx + b)(nx + c) is a polynomial of degree 2 and h(x) has two roots. The respective roots are when f(x) = 0 and g(x) = 0. This means the graph of h(x) crosses the x-axis at the same two points as f(x) and g(x).

Thus, if there are points of tangency then they must occur at these common points on the x-axis.

In conclusion, it is a union of all REAL numbers and all non-REAL numbers, or in fact, ALL numbers.

Its been a long time since I've had to use anything other than 'logical math'... ie. AND, OR, and XOR.

BUT after consuming more than 18 REAL beer (ie. non-American beer), I think that this proves my theory.

If this is the case, HOLY SHIT! :o

Otherwise, where the hell is Ueli?

grant ??? ::)

P.S. cat, you're right... If yer gonna be stupid, ya gotta be tough!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: Math Question (not CH)
Post by suzy617 on Jun 20^th, 2003, 4:30am

I think I'll cheat and look at the guy next to me's paper. ;D

Title: Re: Math Question (not CH)
Post by brain_cramps on Jun 20^th, 2003, 4:33am

Suzy

If you want to pass, you better not be sitting next to me. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

grant 8)

Title: Re: Math Question (not CH)
Post by catlind on Jun 20^th, 2003, 6:41am

ROFL that was quite an answer grant!!!

I'll be sure he logs in to check those out LOL

Cat (who has gotten pretty tough over the years ;) )

Title: Re: Math Question (not CH)
Post by Peppermint on Jun 20^th, 2003, 7:38am

Darnit Cat. You sneaky girl.... thought You'd have the answer.....

You did this in chat last night and I got a headache...ya done did it again....

ok... where's BillyJ....I think I need some aspirin....

:D

Title: Re: Math Question (not CH)
Post by Brian_Y on Jun 20^th, 2003, 7:41am

Title: Re: Math Question (not CH)
Post by Peppermint on Jun 20^th, 2003, 7:46am

on 06/20/03 at 07:41:42, Brian_Y wrote:

No repeat answers ya Yank.
;D

Title: Re: Math Question (not CH)
Post by Brian_Y on Jun 20^th, 2003, 7:51am

It's the answer to everything, so it's not really a repeat. Agreed?

And calling me a "Yank" will git yer arm "yanked" out of the socket.

:P

Title: Re: Math Question (not CH)
Post by BruceD on Jun 20^th, 2003, 7:56am

on 06/20/03 at 04:25:30, brain_cramps wrote:

TRICK QUESTION (I think)
A traditional approach would begin with algebraic manipulation. This is useful because it keeps the inexperienced occupied, but what can one know for sure?

Good one grant. Reminds me of the Blues Traveler song. Anyway, I think what you're looking for is:

C = A U B

We'll let h(x) be the characteristic function of C (the union of A and B)

Therefore, the mathematical union of the characteristic functions will be:

h(x) = f(x) + g(x) - [f(x)*g(x)]

Simple, huh?

Later
BruceD

Title: Re: Math Question (not CH)
Post by Peppermint on Jun 20^th, 2003, 9:39am

on 06/20/03 at 07:51:41, Brian_Y wrote:

It's the answer to everything, so it's not really a repeat. Agreed?

And calling me a "Yank" will git yer arm "yanked" out of the socket.

:P

Agreed.

You planning on hurting me?
Oo..Oo I'm skeered... wahhhhhhhhhhhhh....

YANK.
Neener,neener,neener.....

;D..:-*

Title: Re: Math Question (not CH)
Post by cathy on Jun 20^th, 2003, 11:54am

on 06/20/03 at 07:51:41, Brian_Y wrote:

And calling me a "Yank" will git yer arm "yanked" out of the socket.
:P

Hey LBB are you gonna do that yourself or are you going to get someone to do it for you... ;D

I think the answer is 143..... ;)

Cathy

Title: Re: Math Question (not CH)
Post by Live4Fun on Jun 20^th, 2003, 11:59am

I think the answer is Y. Y are you doing this to us?!?!? ;) ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: Math Question (not CH)
Post by Roxy on Jun 20^th, 2003, 11:59am

omg....I woke up and read this thread first for some reason. Cat, it was actually painful.

My answer parallels Svenns.......the answer is a headache (along with crossed eyes... ;D).

Grant, your answer even hurt..... ;)

Title: Re: Math Question (not CH)
Post by CathiP on Jun 20^th, 2003, 12:03pm

Cathy, Miss Fluffyknickers....
That is devastatingly handsome, erudite, LBB to you!!
And the answer is.......CHOCOLATE!!

I know it's the answer.......aside from one other possibility mentioned above, chocloate is the answer to everything!! Right?

Title: Re: Math Question (not CH)
Post by BobG on Jun 20^th, 2003, 12:21pm

Duct Tape is the answer to everything

except

Don't ever, and I mean ever

use it as a condom :o

Title: Re: Math Question (not CH)
Post by Linda_Howell on Jun 20^th, 2003, 12:22pm

I agree with with Roxy,

While reading Cats question and Grants answer, not only did my eyes cross, but I deleloped an uncontrollable twitch, followed closely by an anxiety attack.

Good God, Do people actually want to know this stuff? LMAO LindaH

Title: Re: Math Question (not CH)
Post by Opus on Jun 20^th, 2003, 3:40pm

Cat,
I'll break out my calculous books and let you know.

Brian,
It's obvous that the question in you brain waves,
by the way what is the population of the universe?,
and have you ever heard of Stavro Mueller Beta?

Opus/Paul

Title: Re: Math Question (not CH)
Post by Marc on Jun 20^th, 2003, 3:44pm

Bob G,

NOW you tell me!

Title: Re: Math Question (not CH)
Post by catlind on Jun 20^th, 2003, 4:35pm

on 06/20/03 at 15:40:00, Opus wrote:

have you ever heard of Stavro Mueller Beta?

That sounds familiar, think I may have heard that name mentioned when I dined in the Restaurant at the End of the Universe ;)

Cat

Title: Re: Math Question (not CH)
Post by BruceD on Jun 20^th, 2003, 4:36pm

Yeah, but by the time the mice finished up the computer & got the answer, they had forgotten the question. (Got my handkerchief right here :D)

BruceD

PS: BTW my first answer is correct. ;D

Title: Re: Math Question (not CH)
Post by catlind on Jun 20^th, 2003, 4:53pm

What the devil are you doing with a handkerchief?? That won't put a 'dent' in any problems you run into ;)

All good hikers know you need a towel ::)

Cat

Title: Re: Math Question (not CH)
Post by jonny on Jun 20^th, 2003, 6:01pm

on 06/20/03 at 11:54:13, cathy wrote:

I think the answer is 143..... ;)

Im with Miss fluffystickers.

143

..........................................jonny

Title: Re: Math Question (not CH)
Post by CathiP on Jun 20^th, 2003, 6:23pm

Jonny- That's HER KNICKERS!!!!!

sheesh..... ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D :P

Title: Re: Math Question (not CH)
Post by Anthem on Jun 20^th, 2003, 7:44pm

Thank you all... I am actually studying for the CLEP test, and that was one of the random questions that came up in the test software I was using last night.

BruceD, your answer was correct. :) The good thing is, is that they give you 4 multiple choice answers, so I could have listed those to make it easier ;)

Clark

Title: Re: Math Question (not CH)
Post by Opus on Jun 20^th, 2003, 8:53pm

And don't forget your Babel fish,
Leave by the window,
Don't drink too many Pan Galactic Gargle Blasters,
So Long and thanks for all the fish!!!!!

Title: Re: Math Question (not CH)
Post by BruceD on Jun 20^th, 2003, 9:25pm

Doh! How could I have forgotten it was a towel. Oh well, that just goes to show how long it's been since I read the Guide. I may just have to head to the bookshelf and see if I can dust off my copy... it seems I'm a bit rusty.

Thanks for the correction, Cat!

BruceD

Title: Re: Math Question (not CH)
Post by Peppermint on Jun 20^th, 2003, 10:11pm

on 06/20/03 at 19:44:38, Anthem wrote:

I could have listed those to make it easier ;)

Clark

Clark... wouldn't be able to tell by your Avatar, whICH , if Cat has not told you, I just LOVE.. ;D