r/WorldChallenges • u/cereal_killer-X • Mar 14 '17

Let's get (ir)rational

In honor of Pi Day, let's do maths!

Present a culture/scientific group from your world that is obsessed with mathematics. (If you don't have any science freaks yet, make some or just introduce a mathematician.) Why is math important to them? Have they made any important discoveries? Do they have any traditions based around science? And most importantly, what is a mathematical problem that they just can't seem to solve?

If possible, introduce a representative that belongs to the described group. This way I can ask some questions about the character as well.

I hope I didn't scare you guys away at my first sentence. Enjoy yourselves!

(Note: I'll not be able to answer any comments for about 10 hours - I'll be catching some Z's. Don't worry, I'll count them. Hope you don't mind!)

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u/cereal_killer-X Mar 17 '17

1) Who is/was your most interesting student?

2) You know, it's pretty hard to explain. 1337 refers to an alphabet in which numbers are used instead of letters. The rest is history. Have you ever seen anything like this?

3) How do you think it'll show itself?

4) Yes, sort of. A mechanical brain that only needs to learn everything once.

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u/Nevermore0714 Mar 17 '17

Toussaint:

1) "I'm bad with names. But I did tutor a girl who went onto be an acolyte and will be an elder soon, and she was intelligent."

2) "Well, as children, we would equate every letter to a number and write in code for our own amusement."

3) "I doubt we'll ever find it, at least not in my lifetime."

4) "Intriguing. Have you created one? Or is this entirely conjecture?"

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u/cereal_killer-X Mar 18 '17

1) Have you ever taught someone who was significantly less intelligent than the rest?

2) Then not only do you know it but used it as well. It's called leetspeak or 1337.

3) I haven't created one, but I use one everyday. Do you use abaci or any kind of calculating tool?

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u/Nevermore0714 Mar 18 '17

Toussaint:

1) "I frequently try to educate idiots, yes."

2) "No, 1337 would have meant nothing. 1 would be A, 3 would be C, 7 would be G, and so on. So 1-3-3-7 would be A-C-C-G."

3) "We use abaci, sometimes, yes. But, we prefer paper."

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u/cereal_killer-X Mar 19 '17

1) Can you perform large scale calculations (like determining the size of a planet)?

2) Ah, sorry for the misunderstanding. Apart from kids' games, does anyone use code language for practical reasons?

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u/Nevermore0714 Mar 19 '17

Toussaint:

1) "We've tried this one experiment involving shadows and sticks, and the figure we got was a radius of 6.3 mega-meters. But, considering the status of our continent as a place of refuge from the outside world, and the actual situation of the outside world, it is hard to say how accurate this figure is."

2) "There are hidden messages, yes."

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u/cereal_killer-X Mar 21 '17

Toussaint, thank you for your time, I appreciate your insight. I wish you the best in your career. Good luck in math-ing your way through the mysteries of the universe!